tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post952198836220833660..comments2024-03-09T04:57:25.956+00:00Comments on HardKnott Dave's blog about stuff: Don't do down pubsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11319272987951077205noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-56090851128158256752009-04-25T23:06:00.000+01:002009-04-25T23:06:00.000+01:00Paul, of course it's complaints relating to style ...Paul, of course it's complaints relating to style and the effects are my gripe. Especially if that style results in some sort of success as is often the case.<br /><br />BUL180, the key is the fact that a pub <I>exists</I> in whatever form, for which I'm asking for a rejoice.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11319272987951077205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-33214316248946512662009-04-25T20:21:00.000+01:002009-04-25T20:21:00.000+01:00Speaking as a Dumb Yank Foreigner, pubs, along wit...Speaking as a Dumb Yank Foreigner, pubs, along with footpaths and real ale, are the principal reasons I visit. I guess if you grow up surrounded by them, it's easy to grow fussy and/or jaded, but you have such a valuable cultural institution that we simply do not have over here. I've been in literally hundreds of pubs, and even in the one's for which I might utter a complaint or two, I always remind myself that the pub simply <B>exists</B>. And that's a good thing.Brewers Union Local 180https://www.blogger.com/profile/05786517873195170945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-89385685761761452852009-04-25T18:51:00.000+01:002009-04-25T18:51:00.000+01:00First up, pretentions do not a gastro pub-make; if...First up, pretentions do not a gastro pub-make; if it serves quality food then it’s a gastro-pub if not then it isn’t. In my opinion the art of gastronomy is to reach a certain level of accomplishment and not to wear a label!<br /><br />I’m all for not doing pubs down although if the quality of service or fare is poor, or the establishment is dirty then I think people have every right to be critical. What is wrong is to criticise the ‘style’ and the market that it caters for. From pleb to toffee-nosed twat the pub going public is a diverse range of individuals and pubs need to reflect and cater for that. The differences should be celebrated.<br /><br />The British pub is truly an asset and something to shout about, although we should never be afraid to voice constructive criticism on matters of quality.<br /><br />On a critical note I’ve never had a decent bread and butter pudding in a pub. They are at their worst when separately served with custard. A good B&B pudding should be a standalone moist affair that certainly shouldn’t require the addition of custard or cream (or God forbid ice-cream).Paul Garrardhttp://www.realaleblog.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-27101803840738925062009-04-25T15:10:00.000+01:002009-04-25T15:10:00.000+01:00Good discussion. I'd like to engage more but I'm t...Good discussion. I'd like to engage more but I'm too busy cutting chunky chips. OK, that's a lie, but the chip is worth a post all by itself.<br /><br />Thanks Beer Nut, although to be honest it happened by accident. (but takes a bow anyway)<br /><br />Ed, perhaps you're right, it'a a British pass time to whinge.<br /><br />Curmudgeon, snobbery is the problem, as you say in both directions.<br /><br />Thanks for the link, which mentions boil in the bag. Known by proper chefs as <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sous-vide" REL="nofollow">Sous-vide</A> it is in no way considered a down market method if used correctly. The article is indeed a very good one. Again, sous-vide might be worth a mention in an other post as I use it extensively. However, I'd have to shoot you all after telling you about my best secret weapon.<br /><br />Jeff, you seem to be getting very restrained these days. Don't become a lamb now will you.<br /><br />JJ, being a food snob I really do agree about the quality of pub grub, but most pubs are simply playing to their customer base as best they can.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11319272987951077205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-61769701564214740062009-04-25T10:51:00.000+01:002009-04-25T10:51:00.000+01:00Jesusjohn - but the tone of the article is that "m...Jesusjohn - but the tone of the article is that "most pubs are crap" which is hardly the most productive stance to take if you want to promote pubs as a species.<br /><br />Likewise those people who say "most cask beer is crap" put people off drinking it full stop.<br /><br />I'm not saying that we should have an unrealistic, rose-tinted view of pubs, but they should be celebrated warts and all.Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-77116352498922714712009-04-25T10:44:00.000+01:002009-04-25T10:44:00.000+01:00I think you're being a bit unfair to that Guardian...I think you're being a bit unfair to that Guardian journalist.<br /><br />The headline is indeed crap, but he won't have written it - that'll be the sub.<br /><br />In fact he does just what you say, celebrating a diverse range of provision and mentioning examples of ones he likes.<br /><br />He just thinks most pubs serve bad food. And he's right.John Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15471796457374078158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-89195450166663400552009-04-25T09:46:00.000+01:002009-04-25T09:46:00.000+01:00The other day a relative informed that it was a sc...The other day a relative informed that it was a scandal that so many pubs were closing. <br /><br />Requiring great self control, I refrained from telling her that someone who goes to the pub about once a month to do a quiz and drinks 1/2 a coke while she's at it should STFU about the subject.Jeff Pickthallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06343140031285101096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-81722736572443317262009-04-25T09:03:00.000+01:002009-04-25T09:03:00.000+01:00A problem here is that pubs cover the entire socia...A problem here is that pubs cover the entire social scale so you will inevitably get the typical British snobbish feelings both upwards and downwards.<br /><br />The article you link to is certainly distinctly snobbish, although I agree with the author about the prevalence of the undercooked fat chip.<br /><br />I though <A HREF="http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=16&storycode=63494&c=1" REL="nofollow">this article</A> from <I>The Publican</I> by Mark Daniels was a good antidote about the realities of offering food in mainstream pubs.Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-23672402749610778482009-04-25T09:01:00.000+01:002009-04-25T09:01:00.000+01:00Isn't it a bit like asking people to stop complani...Isn't it a bit like asking people to stop complaning about the weather? Whinging about pubs is a British pass time.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13844169940650659196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2446074078505386356.post-63626007647430439042009-04-25T01:26:00.000+01:002009-04-25T01:26:00.000+01:00woe be tiedBest British pub punnage ever. *Hat tip...<I>woe be tied</I>Best British pub punnage ever. *Hat tip*The Beer Nuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105708522526153528noreply@blogger.com