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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