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...