10.09.08: Out to the White Horse Pub and sushi in Austin

She indulged in a gal's nite out at the White Horse pub, complete with knitting, chitchat, and the sharing of a cheese plate with a like-minded pal. Celery, grapes, green apple slices, a mix of poppyseed, onion and plain crackers, and some S. African Sauvignon Blanc made the evening veddy, veddy civilised.

SHE SAYS: This doesn't look like a lot for two hungry ladies, but sharing proved most satisfying. I'm not too proud to admit I sneaked most of the celery, as it was such a perfect conveyor for the blue and the Boursin-y cheeses. Unfortunately I forgot to record the types of cheeses from the menu, but I did note at the time that the bits and pieces produced didn't appear to match the menu too conscientiously anyway. In addition to the ones just mentioned, a sort of cheddar, a sort of brie, and two oddly mushroomy and (for my taste) far too mellow chunks of somethin' or other filled us up far better than you might imagine. Not special, but not bad, either, and terribly convivial.

HE SAYS: I was looking forward to a mini sushi-fest at Kyoto Downtown, here in Austin but was a little bit disappointed with what I chose. After receiving my 16oz Sapporo I was ready to order. Firstly, I got the Godzilla roll, no problem here. It was very tasty, lots of salmon, avocado and cucumber drizzled with spicy teriyaki sauce, covered with light tempura flakes.

Next I ordered a selection of sushi nigiri which was not too fantastic. I ordered the tamago (sweet egg) because I get this a lot and consider myself an expert on it's sweet eggy delights, this version was not bad, pretty good in fact. Sometimes it can be too dry, not this time. Next up, The salmon which I found was a little tasteless and the tuna a little underwhelming.

The hotate (scallops) were overly mayonaissy and a little bland for my taste. The miso soup was tasty with large blocks of tofu swimmin' around and a healthy share of seaweed but it was barely warm, tepid in fact.

The worst part of the meal was definitely the eel. I think I miss ordered and got the wrong type of eel, Anago (sea eel), because I was expecting the warm flamed variety with thick, sweet eel sauce, unagi (Fresh water eel), instead of the grey "fishy" tasting one with a pale watery sauce that I experienced.

A slight slip of the tongue can get you into a lot of trouble, it seems. I think I would give this place another go, I made a bad choice and they may have been having an off night. The eel I think coloured my overview of the meal slightly, the service was good and atmosphere authentic. That eel though, it was disgusting.

02.07.08: In and Out

While out at the White Horse Pub knitting group, She nibbled on smoked duck salad and swigged strawberry Früli...but as the salad was on the small side, she tucked into some Dorset Cereals 'tasty, toasty spelt, barley & oat flakes' with yoghurt back home.

Meanwhile, He heated up an M&S feast of lamb kebabs, red cabbage, and oriental noodle salad with a coriander-chili dressing.

HE SAYS: It's been a while since tucking into these lamb skewers and I hope it won't be too long before we meat again. Mixed with mint, coriander and garlic these deadly sharp needles of pleasure were a great addition to the rather eclectic plate. The red cabbage waz not in the same league as our homemade version but it was different enough in its taste intention (fruity and rather sweet compared to my tart and citrus like version) to raise a smile of approval. The Asian style noodle salad satisfied the fresh, tangy and spicy part of the show too.

SHE SAYS: My salad was super-delish: the duck slices were very tender, with delicate smoked flavour, the rocket was fresh and crisp, and the dressing was sweet-salty and light - but it all didn't quite a meal make. I have the cereal every single morning, and I still love it. It's one of the less sweet ones, with pumpkin seeds and roasted hazelnuts as well as some dried fruit. With some mildly savoury yoghurt it makes cereal-for-dinner almost a treat.

21.05.08: Out to The White Horse Pub

He joined Her at the pub post-knitting for a slap-up meal of mussels steamed in a wine, cream and shallot sauce, exorbitantly priced bread, and a small chicken caesar salad topped with a few crispy pancetta slices.

SHE SAYS: Wow, all those little buttons o' seafood add up to one very full tummy. I could get the starter size some other time, if we're having bread, too. (£3 for bread - wotta ripoff! but it was needed for optimal sauce conveyance.) The mussels were tender, salty and not dried out - must've been steamed fairly fresh. Cream sauce (more like broth) was subtle and rich. Salad was fine, but the chicken strips were quite dry. Best bit were the basil-infused croutons.

HE SAYS: Was nice to play mid-week hooky from the washing-up with the missus at a terrific pub not too far from home. The mussels were well prepared and the broth was creamy, salty and generally what you'd expect but sometimes don't get. The salad was quite decadent, reminded me of a loaded baked potato without the potato; also was a tad salty, but not in a good way. Overall a thumbs-up for this gastro boozer, would go again - they had a nice selection of beers, to boot.

18.01.08: Out to The Prince Albert Pub

This had 'mistake' written all over it, in four different typefaces on the menu cover alone. I can only assume we were weak with hunger and tired of plodding about in the drizzle to cave in to pub Thai food.

SHE SAYS: Chicken Pad Thai is normally the thing that can't go wrong in even the grimmest Thai establishment, but this tasted like gym socks. And what was that bizarre lattice on top?? We're guessing egg or batter, but tentative tastes proved inconclusive. Gave up after eating 1/3 (hungry).

HE SAYS: I was starving, which led me to think my Prawn Pad Siew was not so bad. Very heavy on the salt and light on authentic (any?) Thai flavour. Should've gone for the fish 'n' chips, another contender that nite. Oh well...

A toasty bagel with avo and salad made up for the Pad Thai quite nicely. Is it any wonder we eat at home most of the time?