Last FFCC of 2011 is at Bawarchi, Gerrards Cross

The end of the year is rapidly approaching and our last gathering is in Gerrards Cross gentlemen... on the Friday 2nd December

...we are booked into The Bawarchi in GX for 8:30pm (so let's meet for a pint in The Packhorse pub,which is just around the corner... here's the post code for all your SAT NAVs : SL9 7QA)

Trip advisor has a few 'locals' review (see below) so it seems like a good little curry house...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g499485-d2216551-Reviews-Bawarchi-Gerrards_Cross_Buckinghamshire_England.html

See you there chaps...

The Coriander : Bourne End..could do better

We were quite excited about going to the new Coriander freshly opened in Bourne End... especially as booking online via the Curries Online service was a first for us... ominous text messages backing up the service tell you that "you do not need to confirm this booking with the restaurant?!"

We met at The Firefly pub  nearby, which has had a bit of a lick of paint recently and is the better for it and enjoyed a rather good Marlow Breweries pint of IPA and then off into the cold night for a short wander to The Coriander.

With the Viceroy just 4 doors away (and a popular restaurant with the curry club - one of two we have returned to three times) so we all felt a little unfaithful popping into The Coriander...but we shouldn't have been as the Coriander got a very average vote from the members...6.85 which places this curry house in the bottom half of our league table.

It has to be said the ambiance and decor are good, the place does have a vide and they have a good location but the food was a real let down for the members with a few complaints of well presented but bland flavouring... and if you aren't a king prawn appreciator your choice gets pretty limited.  The service was sadly very slow, with a very long wait for us between course but the staff were helpful and didn't miss anything from the order so a tick there.

The problem was they allowed 8 guys in late on when they were clearly very busy and they seemingly only had 2 waiters on duty for 20 tables... a tough one for them ...which showed in the service.  All in all this led to a pretty slow evening.

The food... well in fairness mine personal dishes were absolutely fine but the vast consensus of members on the night was that the food was just bland and pretty ordinary. With local competition from the Last Viceroy so close that should impact them...but the place was busy.

Popular dishes were the Jhal Puri and many had the Noorjahani dishes which were very varied in flavouring... king prawn good, chicken bland.  But the sundries were good, nice bhajis and lentils, but that doesn't make up for the mains being pretty lower rent dishes.

Will we be going back ... probably only after we have tried a few others.  The Coriander Group has several outlets and one pretty near by in Amersham...we will try that and see if that (being a little longer established) is better...watch this space.

Fantasy Football - I don't know why?

Gentle Folk of the FFCC...

I don't know why I haven't thought of this before but it occurred to me this weekend that we should be participating in the Premierships Fantasy Football competition...?  We can have our own league and it is v. simple to participate (if you ignorami haven't played before) and we can start even though the season proper has of course begun...

I thought I would ask you all first if you want to play in our FFCC league...? but first a few thoughts ... don't worry it doesn't cost you money and we can start from next week and run through to the end of the season. For a bit more information check out the link below..we will post results on the blog and we can of course discuss at our monthly gatherings...embarras each other with our performance and take tips from the pros who attend...now who is in?

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

Our audience - Alaska & beyond

I have just finished playing with my Google Analytics on the First Friday Club blog and have some interesting news...

Firstly more people in the USA visit our little blog than in Europe, and the majority of those visitors are from - wait for it Alaska?!

Secondly the vast majority of people find us through Google but for some inexplicable reason our readers are finding us from the Job Search sites - is there a correlation I am missing between looking for a job & curries?

And finally more people come to our site from Facebook & Twitter than from Google searches...but only just.  Now you can all get back on with your work... message ends!

The Ivy of Sonning

The Ivy of Sonning is a lovely place to eat... parking is however a total nightmare in Sonning so some planning ahead... but the Ivy is worth the effort.

First the food... great selection, nice list of specialities and for sensible prices - overall the bill came to the clubs average for the last year £36 each so perfectly acceptable. The Ivy Special starter was a good way to kick of the meal and priced to please. The Panner Pakora were attractive sounding but pretty rubbery to the taste - avoid those! Everything else was pretty good all-round. The mains are also sensibly priced and we went for a house speciality the lamb Handi Gosht which proved a good choice and popular. The madrass at the Ivy so be wary of those spicy dishes. The secondary stuff is well prepared and seemed freshly cooked so top marks there. The tarka dall and the mushroom dishes excellent tasty additions. Overall the food was voted top marks by us - highly recommended.

The setting - the Ivy has worked hard at this and the decor and general ambiance of the place is top grade and very comfortable but the lack of space shows as although pretty well spaced out the tables in some parts of the restaurant are close together so no secret business meetings here I fear. But the head waiter/owner (who claims the name Bobby) is very amenable and looked after us well with free after dinner drinks, a friendly line in banter with us and overall (despite ignoring one member of our party!) he was efficient.

The service - very good, noticeably quick and neatly and decoratively - a nice touch which many over look for more money ... well done The Ivy. The food was hot, arrived with sensible gaps and carefully delivered... however Bobby did forget a couple of dishes, and was keen to get with everyone but could perhaps have spent a little more time on getting the order spot on... if cost him in the scoring ....

Summing up - great little curry house (emphasis on little) with friendly staff, good service and very tasty food all in a very attractive setting...grab a beer in the Bull nearby (75 metres away down the High Street - limited parking again!) and you have the makings of a fine evening. The Ivy jumps straight in to our top 10 restaurants ... no mean feat for a seven year old club.

What did learn on the night (Nick's request...) that restairants should have toilet police?! That Curry-Oke could be big time entertainment and Nick wears hoodies at weekends! In fairness it was Ralph Lauren... oh and after all this time eating curry Tom finally admitted he can't really taste the differences between the dishes!! You can't make this stuff up.

Hello Sailor

Previous careers of FFC members… here's Ed before his life in computing....!

FFC Members of Old...

Does anyone recognise this FFC Founder Member... ?

Memories of India

September is typical FFC time getting into the swing leading up to Christmas... and this month we went off our normal track over to Farnham for a change. Big turnout this month...

The Memories of India in Farnham is a situated on the main 'High Street' in Farnham and is popular with those in the 'know'!

It was reported to be an award winning curry house in Berkshire but checking after the dinner it seems that award was given to the group behind this rather than this restaurant itself. But that didn't detract from an excellent meal.

The head waiter was very keen for us to try a mixed tandoori starter and tried a couple of times to persuade us...and to be honest it was good so we all agreed it worth plumping for...a chop, a prawn and chicken plus a vegetable something... which was all jolly good to be honest. The house speciality is a Lamb Handi which was a balti pot with a nan bread draped over the top...it looks exotic and was order by 4 of us so proved popular too.

Ambiance is smart but not posh and the service was polite and attentive..the choice on the menu was a little limited though but still enough choice. The local were in but the place wasn't crowded by any means. With two pubs almost across the road (The Forrester and Stag & Hounds) it was a good venue for a meet up.

The Club voted the food at the top of the scale for us with the restaurant getting a 8/10 overall and price definitely was a factor tip included this was a £34 pp meal...and pretty good all round. Would we go back...Yep we would.

Hidden factoid discovered on the night one FFC member used to play football for the Sunday League Football team at The Forresters Pub... back in the day of course.

History made for FFC : The Spice Merchants in Henley

Well this months FFC gathering marked two landmarks in FFC history...

Firstly this proved to be the most expensive FFC curry gathering per head coming in at over £202 for four... Secondly this is the first time the FFC has gathered in August - normally we are all away on holiday...but July is now the new August?? So first the curry... The Spice Merchants are always lovely restaurants, but you pay for it... the food very tasty and of course mainly dry curry dishes are the speciality, and a few interesting twists such as tandoori lamb and the special kebabs served at the table...but beer is never served in pints but charged as if it was!

Four of us this month managed to have 4 beers & 2 glasses of wine and a shared starter (twice over or course) and then a simple dish each and still managed to break the £200 mark... impressively overpriced for what we actually had.

The special chicken chops are merely chicken legs cut to look like lamb chops...the curries are average by our standards and scores for the restaurant amongst FFC members was a resounding 7...nice ambiance, decent but uninspiring curry dishes and massively over the top pricing...

But the company made up for the price, and all agreed to learning something...like Booker aerodrome was the scene of the largest outdoor rave back in 1985 with 20,000 people turning up...thanks Nick! or how to make money on internet trading by buying low prices out of stock gear and selling for a massive profit, and just how much you can now buy on Amazon that is not a book...amazing how prices drop for even household goods ... very entertaining evening for this historic meeting of the FFC.

Next month we are visiting an award winning establishment in Farnham Common which was listed in the top 5 in the country last year... watch this space. See you all then...

Sad news... well sort of...

You might remember that we had a very entertaining evening within the Green Man in Flackwell Heath prior to visiting the Radhuni Curry House down the road...back in the dim and distant past of the FFC.

I remember the singing, the tattoos, the fight and that was just the local women!

Well the sad news is the Green Man is no more and will shortly be replaced by a Sainsbury's.... I am sure all members will be grieving about this sad loss to part of our history.

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/9151184.Sainsbury_s_store_gets_green_light_in_Flackwell_Heath/?ref=rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

The English Curry Awards 2011

For anyone interested I would definitely recommend a quick read as nominations might be in your area... I have to say I am very surprised how poorly the Southern Regions of England are poorly represented with nominations... have a quick read...

http://www.lovecurry.info/english-curryawards-2011/shortlist.html

Monsoon - Hartley Wintney

The other curry house in Hartley Wintney was the venue this month for a select crowd of us... it wasn't the journey to deepest darkest rural England but the impact of 'The Season' events on other members diaries getting in the way...

Having convened at the excellent Cricketeers... see opposite whilst the local youngsters were winning against Hook juniors we quaffed a few Cider's and the occasional red wine before meandering to the Monsoon rather later than intended.

The Monsoon was a small, smart curry house with a lively buzz to the atmosphere and friendly if unhurried staff who gave us an excellent table and patiently listened whilst we jumped around the menu. A large selection of chef specialities complimented the usual old favourites. The food was well presented (the Chef definitely has a 'lamb preference to dishes...OK with me!) with only two of us thinking the food a little bland as the score reflected in the average 7.87 score putting The Monsoon just outside our current Top 12. Prices were very good though with the meal only coming to £32pp so on the FFC ratio (price pp x number attending / average score) that made this place in our top 10...so positive stuff.

Trip Advisor has this place highly recommended and I don't think we would take away from that...the service and ambiance are accurate a lovely little curry house well worth the trip.

There was a mini debate about moving the FFC 'up market' to establishments like this which I am sure will be discussed again.... and for reference the names of the member of Top Cat's team are TC, Benny the Ball, Fancy, Choo Choo, Brains and Spook.

Next month...the annual BBQ?!?! Arghh...

And new into the Top 10 - Windsor's Viceroy

We picked the Viceroy of India because it won the the restaurant of the year award in Windsor a year ago and came recommended. And we weren't disappointed as this months choice jumped into the all time top ten with ease.

Meeting at the Criterion pub down the road was interesting and we were graced with James L's presence despite surgery that same day... very impressive...sadly JL couldn't join us for dinner but pre-dinner cocktails were well received (see pic)

Mr E & Sir Clive turned up by rail so inevitably were late! And Mr S said he was coming & then didn't show... hold your head in shame Stoney.

Food...excellent, the mixed start proved a popular option and @ £4.50 was good value too.. Mr Ed decided to have a slightly hotter curry than normal and was noticeably stunned by the heat into silence for 10-20 minutes which inevitably led to everyone trying his and proclaiming to a man that it was indeed 'feckin hot'!

The place was an old Barclay's Bank branch and downstairs the Chubb safe could still be seen... makes for a different venue.

Taking the waiters recommendation was good idea as they served up a really interest Lamb Shakitica (never heard of it either before then too!) a madrass, lemony affair which was excellent. Service was unobtrusive and quick and so good to be honest we didn't really notice it...being more interested in the party in the other room which appears to be made up of 30-40-30/something birthday parties ... we never did work it out.

Conversation turned to the season and whether QPR would get fined or deducted points, West Ham would be relegated, if Wenger would keep his job & just how good Ferguson was overall. Highly entertaining...and general judgement was...great season except for Arsenal choking towards the end. Not much sympathy detected for the Blades relegation.

Overall scores was 8.5 for the curry house - well done Viceroy of Windsor you hit the big time.

The Criterion - FFC May

Wow, what happened to April - all these short working weeks means FFC seems to have come around quickly this month…

Arrangement for this month are to meet in The Criterion pub in Windsor around 7:45pm. See pick below ... It is at the bottom of the pedestrian precinct so I advise walking from the station car park because the parking near the end if Peascod road is crap.

Here's the link. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&q=51.480053,-0.611948

It's a little pub so don't be late ... We are a short walk to the curry house from there.

Who is in??



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Oh Dear, Oh Dear Hawelli:Twyford

Why do some curry house do it...take an order for a large table knowing full well they are just too busy and knowing they are going to have to make you wait to be seated on a busy night...?

So it was with the Haweli in Twyford... a place we have been to before, and maybe because of the slow economy, they just couldn't resist the booking but in the process they messed us around too much and so the ratings this month reflected it... last time out they got a 9/10 this time they just broke into 4/10!

Booked for 9pm and seated at 9:40 we almost walked around the corner to the Gaylord instead... but then we had the misfortune to order...our starters were arriving before we had ordered our main dishes so chaos ruled on the table and sadly the food was a let down. Pretty ordinary, rather bland and not particularly tasty.. a decidedly off night only made up for by the company... We won't be going back again soon...their loss.

It is pretty easy to get right, let people sit down on time, take their order promptly and then deliver it as tasty flavoursome food and Rashid is your Uncle. Haweli - poor showing this time out, really poor. But the locals were out in force, every table was busy and for some reason Friday is Girlie Curry Night Out in Twyford so clearly haweli is thriving... hope the locals get a better service and food than we did!

Wonky Glasses!

Glass speciality at the Haweli in Twyford (full report to follow) neat style I thought...




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Letters to Local Councils

A friend sent me this - she works in a local council dealing with residents complaints and council house repairs.

Made me laugh anyway.

Extracts from letters written to local councils......

1.. It's the dogs mess that I find hard to swallow.

2.. I want some repairs done to my cooker as it has backfired and burnt my knob off.

3.. I wish to complain that my father twisted his ankle very badly when he put his foot in the hole in his back passage..

4.. Their 18 year old son is continually banging his balls against my fence..

5.. I wish to report that tiles are missing from the outside toilet roof. I think it was bad wind the other day that blew them off.

6.. My lavatory seat is cracked, where do I stand?

7.. I am writing on behalf of my sink, which is coming away from the wall.

8.. Will you please send someone to mend the garden path. My wife tripped and fell on it yesterday and now she is pregnant.

9.. I request permission to remove my drawers in the kitchen.

10. 50% of the walls are damp, 50% have crumbling plaster, and 50% are just plain filthy.

11. I am still having problems with smoke in my new drawers.

12. The toilet is blocked and we cannot bath the children until it is cleared.

13. Will you please send a man to look at my water, it is a funny colour and not fit to drink.

14. Our lavatory seat is broken in half and now is in three pieces.

15. The man next door has a large erection in the back garden, which is unsightly and dangerous.

16. Our kitchen floor is damp. We have two children and would like a third, so please send someone round to do something about it.

17. I am a single woman living in a downstairs flat and would you please do something about the noise made by the man on top of me every night.

18. Please send a man with the right tool to finish the job and satisfy my wife.

19. I have had the clerk of works down on the floor six times but I still have no satisfaction.

20. This is to let you know that our lavatory seat is broke and we can't get BBC2


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New Plans for Friday... Curry Leaf is closed down !

Gentlemen,

Sad news ... the Curry Leaf in Wargrave is shut this Friday when we planned to meet...so new plans needed so... let's meet in the Horse & Groom in Hare Hatch...pictured here and a post code for the old satnav!

It's that pub on the A4 going out of Maidenhead towards Reading... on a slight corner so don't go fast?!

Let's meet around 8-8:30 pm

The Horse & Groom

Hare Hatch House, Bath Rd, Hare Hatch, Reading,RG10 9SB

Trouble in Wargrave

A slight problem with The Curry Leaf in Wargrave see the picture ... Seems to be under new management. I am trying to get hold of the new management but so far not a lot of luck... Watch this space for details...

The Big Curry - Support our Troops

April is the month of the curry to support the Soldiers Charity have a look at http://bigcurry.org/ for more details ...

The idea is simple have some curry in April and raise money for troops past and present... great idea as the British Army is the reason we all eat curry in the UK with so many troops serving in the sub-continent the catering corp adapted the local dishes for troops.. and hey presto we all get curry brought back to the UK.

This April's FFCC is dedicated to raising just a little money for this excellent charity effort...fits our curry ethos I thought... bring an extra £10 on the 1st ... but by all means hold a mini curry event of your own and donate just a little to help these guys out too it's a great cause. Log in to the website and get a starter pack for the fund raising.... see above. See you all soon.

The Chairman.

Wargrave in April...

FFCC in April - on 1st is in good old Wargrave... we are meeting up in one of my favourite pubs the White Hart... on the 'High Street' if Wargrave has such a thing... and then is it a short walk to the Curry Leaf...which is roughly the same size as the Himalayan from this month but 'posher' check this link out... for more details

http://www.curryleafwargrave.com/DSCN8719.JPG

As in the post on the 9th January... there is plenty of parking behind the White Hart for the drivers amongst us.

See you in the White Hart at 7:45pm...

Nepal Curry

Great place the Himalayan in Henley, food was lovely and milder than a Indian curry overall. Starter to have was definitely the Boti Lamb a Chef Special...

This place is a real Mom & Pop place, friendly, quaint and small but with a friendly air and smallish portions really..but we didn't feel cheated... the Chilli Lamb Masalla was the choice...but highlight was definitely the Nepal Ice... which was Peroni strength and Budweiser lite ...deceivingly nice beer to be wary of.

But pricing was where this placed won out - it was the cheapest place we have ever eaten at £26 per head... can't fault that!

Bit weird evening as half the crowd turned up at the pub...half turned up an hour and half late...(Juan you should have come despite your diary malfunction you wouldn't have been the last one arriving!)

Next month we are back Oxfordshire way but on the other side of the Thames in Wargrave. Have booked two tables just in case...

FFCC Henley

Tomorrow chaps we are out in Henley and as is the way of these things we have one faller and one new entrant...Mr James has fallen at the second from last fence but Mr Tyldesley is a late starter at the paddock.

Sp meeting at The Argyll on the High Street...then off up to The Himalayan...which is best described as quaint !

Under starters orders at 19:45 in the pub, meal at 20:30.

No news from Mr L or Mr S so assuming none attendance..which judging by the size of this place might be a benefit...baggsy no sit in the kitchen!

Running Parrott

See below this begging missive - but it is a good cause a really good cause

I for one would pay to see Chris suffer! Let's see if FFCC can help a members offspring hit his target … I have put a challenge down… and your all wealthier than me so have a go!!!


"My name is Chris Parrott and I will be running (hopefully all the way) in the Silverstone half marathon taking place on March 6th. It is a unique opportunity to not only raise money for some very worthy causes but also to share the experience of racing around the historic Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. My chosen charity is Scope (www.scope.org.uk) who specialise in cerebral palsy and achieving equality for disabled people in general. Please donate as much money as you can in order to help give, as Scope put it, "life changing experiences'.”

If you would like to contribute then this is the Just Giving web page address:

http://www.justgiving.com/Christopher-Parrott

If you have already contributed then many thanks for your generosity."

March Count

OK and the voting is complete - Ian, Gavin, Rob, Ed, Juan and Nick are Henley ... That's a quorum... So Himalayan it is this month...

Ian will bring clippings from The Times after his recent fame...

Tom, James and Clive aren't able to make it. So a merry mini band it is this month.

PJF



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March gathering

Gentlemen of the Thames Valley - after last month plans being ruined by the rugby, I am conscious it is only 2 weeks to March's assembly.

Knowing how busy you all are we have a choice - return to the aborted Himalayan or continue as planned to Wargrave... Thoughts? Wishes? Votes?


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Cancelled...

Chaps bad news... We can't watch the game while at the curry house and (judging by responses about not wanting to eat after game...) Looks like we have no option but to cancel FFCC this month.

England v Wales begins at 19:45 so eating at 21:30 when it finishes is apparently too late so last resort is to cancel.

Oh well, FFCC beaten by the TV scheduling. Sorry we tried our best.

I'll be watching it at Maids rugby club if anyone fancies joining me as it will be on he big screen and they might even have a curry on down there as it is playing (not sure)

Any alternative suggestion welcome.


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Clash of Titans

Newsflash: FFCC clashes with Six Nations.

So assuming you will want to watch some of this match I am sourcing a suitable Henley Pub for the Pre curry drinks.

It may of course mean we eat a little later...

Any complaints!

Twitter is Up...

Gentlemen,

I am pleased to announce that the Club has at great expense acquired a Twitter account and will not be able to update you all via Tweetage!

Please follow @FFCurryClub

Thanks You

The Committee.

McCoys Crisps

Gentlefolk of the FFC err, and everyone else...I am the bearer of news from McCoy's those lovely crisp people.

They are currently running a 2 for 1 curry offer... Simple, get a packet, take the coupon and go to www.McCoy's.co.uk and find your nearest curry house who participates. Present the coupon and Bob's your Uncle.

Now I know Tom isn't going to do this, & if you are on a date you won't try it but Hey! there is a recession on... And as the folks as Tesco would say "Every little helps"

We try to help...

The FFC Committee.


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Himalayan Tandoori - FFC Feb 2011

OK so February FFC - not had any objections to the Himalayan Tandoori in Henley so will book up....

Check out - http://www.thehimalayantandoori.com/

We will meet at The Argyll - see previous blog postings ... for where it is....



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Wargrave in March

Wargrave calling... March 4th...

We have been told about a fabulous place in Wargrave (yes out in Henley territory again) called the Curry Leaf... See the link below?

http://www.curryleafwargrave.com/DSCN8719.JPG

Bit pricey but jolly nice apparently.

We can meet in a fine old pub called The White Hart (see pic) which has parking around back...



Sells Rebellion and lovely local brews....

Looking forward to it already!!


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Himalayan Tandoori?

February 2011 is going to be in Henley at a slightly different location than a normal curry house... A Nepalese curry...

So we will meet at http://www.theargyllhenley.co.uk/gallery.html# a lovely local pub

Comments thoughts etc?


Above is the joint...

Good idea eh??

January 2011 - Innovation 6

Innovation scores 7.4, 7, 7.5, 7, 7.5.....

What can we say great food, bizarre location and massive banquet room... New business that is clearly struggling a bit for business in recession... But people friendly and you do feel a bit sorry for such nice people... Great deal on Happy Wednesday 12.95 for full meal. Price very low for a good meal... You should try it.

Ambiance needs some work - bit echo-y and needs some pictures up and more carpeting...

Definitely worth trying


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