OT: Pies we have loved...

[Gareth Hughes]

Sorry, not architecture but gastronomy, but I had to post this somewhere, having been raised on their meat and potato pies, and their excellent vanilla slices (none of the insipid watery custard you find in other bakers’ products), but having been back there over Christmas it came as a shock to find that a bit of my childhood heritage, Pimblett’s of St Helens, had gone, probably for ever.
First, the review:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2007/feb/10/foodanddrink.lancashire
Then, the bad news (The firm that's taken over the shop won't be carrying on the production on the grounds that "we do the same" - no they don't!)
http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/3954771.Sixty_jobs_axed_at_Pimbletts/?action=complain&cid=7388503
Do others feel a loyalty to particular foodstuffs?

 

[biffvernon]

Call me simple but I blame Tesco and all who shop in her.

Those of you who do their shopping in Louth, where there is no Tesco or Morrison or Sainsbury or Asda, will be able to buy the very best of food at my daughter's shop. Here they are in their native environment.

 

[Moo]

The rolls at Henry's Hog Roast stall in Norwich market: their meat comes fresh every morning from the best butcher in the city (I know - I see it being delivered) and the crackling is to die for.
And - the fish & chips at the Flora Tea Rooms on Dunwich beach. Unmatched anywhere in E.Anglia.

 

[Penners]

Gareth

If 'pies' can be stretched to include 'pasties', then I recommend you to pop down to Truro for one of the pasties made by Rowes on Lemon Quay.

You'll immediately realise what we Cornishmen have been banging on about for centuries.

Then, of course, there's: http://www.bettys.co.uk/cafe.asp?storyid=%7BA35FB337-BDF8-472F-B64F-4B993A62516A%7D for tea, and

http://www.ghirardelli.com/ for chocolate.

For the best seafood on the planet, in inexpensive, unassuming surroundings: http://www.west-mersea.co.uk/Mersea_Island_Company_Shed.htm

 

[MdB]

Lemon Quay? You must have been down recently as that Rowes is new.

The proper pasties come from Rowes in Victoria Square.

(the next time you are down, let me know and I'll buy you a pint in the Old Ale House)

 

[Penners]

Lemon Quay? You must have been down recently as that Rowes is new.

Actually, it's been a while, but I heard through the seaweedvine that Rowes had moved to Lemon Quay. Obviously misinformed, and I beg their pardon.

I was also going to recommend the Cornish ice cream from Edmonds in St Mawes, but I haven't been there for decades, so I don't know whether they - or their ice cream - still exist.

 

[chuckey]

Crockets of Hawes make really nice non-gelatenous pork pies, they can also be got from Cambells of Leyburn and I suspect other outlets. Next time you are up here, try one. Not a relative/salesperson/owner etc, just a satisfied customer.
Frank

 

[Penners]

Oh no! Why did you have to mention pork pies?

Now I want one.

 

[MdB]

Actually, it's been a while, but I heard through the seaweedvine that Rowes had moved to Lemon Quay. Obviously misinformed, and I beg their pardon.

Currently they are both at Victoria square and Lemon quay (actually Back quay but that is being pedantic) though I guess if the Victoria square outlet loses trade, they will close that.

(For those not in the know, WC Rowes typically has three people serving pasties nonstop with a queue of people through the shop and out of the door. The other pasty shops in Truro (of which there are many) have one person serving and no queue.)

 

[FamilyWiggs]

It's a bit of a trek, but I am lucky enough to make it a few times a year:

http://piesbypost.co.uk/

Lochinver Larder, just short of an hour north of Ullapool. Eating in is fine, but the real deal is to take the pies (venison & cranberry is the finest) and go another 15 mins north and sit on the sandy beach at Achmelvich. In fact, if you zoom in here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lochinver&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=27.699934,73.740234&ie=UTF8&ll=58.158841,-5.271206&spn=0.035953,0.144024&t=h&z=13

You'll probably be able to see me sitting on the beach in front of the dunes!

Pure Dead Brill-yant as the Weegies say.

 

[DaveBrigg]

Sweeny Todd's in Reading is the best place I've found for pies. There are always at least 20 varieties on the menu, all made on the premises, including venison, pigeon and pheasant.

I can echo Biff's recommendation for Louth. The cheese shop is fantastic, and the picture reminds me that it has been a while since we stocked up on 'Gentleman's relish' from the deli there.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Sweeny Todd's in Reading is the best place I've found for pies. There are always at least 20 varieties on the menu, all made on the premises, including venison, pigeon and pheasant.

Far too rich and Southern Nancy for my taste, what's wrong with good old (unidentified) "meat" and potatoes? (though I will confess to a weakness for venison in numerous other forms)

 

[Penners]

Lochinver

I remember once standing on the quayside at Ullapool as the fishing boats came in. Lots of locals were standing around with plastic carrier bags (this was in the days before possession of same became punishable by death). Once the boats had unloaded their crates of fish, they just threw the leftover odds and ends of fish at the locals. These were bagged, hurried home and, I imagine, served for tea a few hours later.

It gave a whole new meaning to "catching a fish".

 

[Moo]

If you are still yearning for a pie, Penners, next time you're in Naarch visit Mr Pickering's stall in the market and try one of his.

 

[Penners]

I shall remember that, Moo. And by the way, I quite agree with you about the fish and chips at Dunwich.

But if you're a seafood fan, do try the Company Shed on Mersea Island - as mentioned above. Just - as advertised - a shed with rough old tables and chairs where they sell fish and shellfish caught locally, plus they cook and serve it. Take your own wine and bread (no corkage) and be prepared to wait if there isn't a table free (which there usually isn't!). It's worth the wait.

 

[plumbers mate]

Shouldn't have read this thread before lunch (dinner time).
Could eat a (now banned) Desperate Dan Cow Pie now :?

 

[Penners]

Remember to spit out the horns. They can cause considerable discomfort some 8 hours later.