Monthly Archives: February 2012
An ode to Ode
I love the story of the tortoise and the hare, of David and Goliath, or any time when the little guy triumphs over the big.
Best case in point this past month: Ode in Shaldon, a charming little Devon seaside restaurant that has been named Sustainable Restaurant of the Year by the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
Photo credit: The Telegraph
It beat out Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage, which took second place.
Chef-proprietor Tim Bouget got top marks for local sourcing as well as energy and water efficiency and waste management. Check it out the next time you are in the West Country!
Happy Valentine’s Day
A box of Thorntons chocolate
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
May your day be filled with the best chocolate, along with the appropriate chocolate identifier glossary (which British chocolatiers smartly include so you know just what you’re getting before you take a bite. No surprises!).
Another blow to pets in Britain
A week or so ago, I blogged about the breading cat craze that’s taking over the Internets.
I tried to bread my cat this weekend. She was decidedly uncooperative. So was my bread. The slice was made weakened once I carved out the middle and then she bolted each time I moved toward her with the altered slice. This was the best result I could get:
I’m starting to think breading is just a Photoshop exercise.
In any case, the BBC has reported on another blow for British pets.
Read the rest of this entry
When cops chase themselves …
As the probationary officer from Sussex Police searched the area for suspects, the camera operator radioed that he had seen someone 'acting suspiciously' in the area. Photo credit: Alamy
A Facebook friend from Hawaii posted this fantastic story from The Telegraph yesterday. I love how hilarious news stories can travel the globe.
In this one, an undercover Sussex police officer “chased himself round the streets” for 20 minutes after a CCTV operator mistook him for suspect. Read the full story here.
My FB friend said it best: “Cue the Benny Hill music.”
British twins news!
Edith Ritchie and Evelyn "Evie" Middleton turned 102 last November.
A big congrats to the two British sisters who have been recognised as the world’s oldest living twins by the Guinness World Records this week. Did you see the news?
Edith Ritchie and Evelyn “Evie” Middleton hold the world title. They are 102 years old and live in Aberdeenshire. They both have never travelled outside the U.K.
When asked her secret to a long life, Edith said: “Simple living, hard work and a good husband.” 🙂
The U.K.’s best gastropubs
The Harwood Arms in Fulham made the top 10.
I love a good gastropub and as far as I’m concerned, the U.K. is king for this blessed blend of good pub and grub.
Budweiser Budvar announced the UK’s top 50 Gastropub Awards yesterday, as voted by 750 chefs, food critics and writers.
License to bartend
Yep, they're British.
Sometimes, only a Brit will do.
Such is the thinking behind BritishBartenders.com, an L.A. company that brings posh British bartenders and staff to service any event.
Started by a British bartending bloke (say that three times fast) named Martin Cole, the business is famous for “private event mixology” and “bartending to the stars,” according to their website. They can provide all of the ingredients, glasswear, alcohol and ice as well as the bar itself for the perfect bash.
I think he’s on to something. Brits know how to make a good, stiff drink. They don’t bat an eye at excess and they know how to tie a Windsor knot. Plus, they know how to pull a proper pint, when you grow tired of cocktails.
Too bad I’m not in L.A…
Tasteful Royal Wedding memorabilia
I love shopping on Etsy. I recently discovered HouseThatLarsBuilt that does some delightful (and tasteful!) royal wedding memorabilia, including dinner plates, mugs and this sweet processional map.
Sweet breads!
Does this make me look fat?
Have you heard of breading? The Daily Mail reported on it yesterday and I have to say it might be the best thing I’ve ever seen. I know it’s quickly becoming a global phenomenon and is not exclusively British, but I couldn’t resist.
As an aside, I’m sure Brits would use a nice farmhouse loaf for this kind of thing.
‘X-Factor’ loses the deadweight
Buh-bye, Nicole and Paula!
Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones out?
Bravo, Simon!
I’m actually enjoying the shake-up.
If you’ve been hiding in a cave the past 24-48 hours, here’s what you’ve missed!
What do you think? Is “X-Factor” going to be even better next season without the deadweight?
BRITRISH.COM 