The Anonymous Widower

My Hotel In Warsaw

My hotel in Warsaw wasn’t the best.

My Hotel In Warsaw

My Hotel In Warsaw

It didn’t have any free wi-fi or a PC that I could use pro-gratis for a start.  And I couldn’t find an Internet cafe in Warsaw either.

They also said that as I didn’t book breakfast originally, then I would have to have it in my room and couldn’t buy it as an extra in the restaurant. But the room service menu was as gluten-free as the average down-market bread shop. How customer-friendly is that?

With one or two exceptions, the staff weren’t very helpful and it is certainly a hotel or even a hotel group, I will ever use again.

 

April 28, 2014 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel | , , , | 1 Comment

A Good Day In Gdansk

One of the waitresses in Carluccio’s was right, when she said I should visit Gdansk. It is lovely, there is no language difficulties and I’ve eaten well without any trouble. Even if the waiters don’t know much English, they usually get something nutricious and safe for a coeliac.

Gdansk

Gdansk

The picture was taken yesterday, along the canal that runs through the city and gives a flavour of it.  Note the weather.

On a train to Warsaw today.

 

April 28, 2014 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel | , , | 2 Comments

Lunch In Kubicki, Gdansk

My guidebook said Kubicki was a good restaurant.

It was! And I didn’t have to worry about the gluten-free or the prices. My meal cost me just £17.70 for a salad starter, the exquisite fish and a large glass of reasonable wine.

As with Kubicki, most restaurants in Poland seem to have at least one member of staff, who understands the importance of gluten-free food to some people.

As the other restaurant I saw, Goldwasser, has good recommendations on the Internet, I would suspect that anybody with a food allergy; serious or just preference, will not have trouble with food in Gdansk.

April 27, 2014 Posted by | Food, World | , , , | 2 Comments

Leon Now Does Kedgeree

I had to leave early to get to the Burnley match for the 12:15 start. So I had this breakfast of mackerel kedgeree in Leon at Kings Cross station.

Leon Now Does Kedgeree

Leon Now Does Kedgeree

Very nice it was too!

I always think that kedgeree should be cooked more often!

You might wonder what this has to do with my trip to Gdansk!

I will be flying out of Liverpool Airport to Gdansk after seeing Ipswich at Burnley.

 

April 26, 2014 Posted by | Food | , , | Leave a comment

Porridge For Those On An Extreme Diet

I bought this pot of Nairn’s porridge in Waitrose at Canary Wharf

Porridge For Those On An Extreme Diet

Porridge For Those On An Extreme Diet

Is it for those on extreme diets or is it a taste of what the English will get out of Scottish independence?

April 25, 2014 Posted by | Food | , | 2 Comments

Essential Supplies For My Trip To Gdansk

Getting snacks en route in Germany is difficult, as everything is generally bread based. So I’m taking plenty of essential supplies.

Essential Supplies For My Trip To Gdansk

Essential Supplies For My Trip To Gdansk

I’ve already booked the hotels and those in Gdansk, Warsaw and Berlin, should be OK for my gluten-free diet.

So the two EatNakd bars a day should suffice, if I can’t find anywhere for lunch.

April 24, 2014 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel | | 1 Comment

A Gluten-Free High Street In Watford

I went to see Ipswich play at Watford yesterday and ate lunch in Carluccio’s in the High Street there. Their restaurant is actually in a sandwich between Nando’s and Jimmy’s World Grill, both of which seem to cater for gluten and other allergies.

A Carluccio's Sandwich

A Carluccio’s Sandwich

There is also a Pizza Express on the other side of the road.

For the first time, I used the Overground to get to Watford, by travelling to Watford High Street station. This station is due to be rebuilt in the next few years as part of the Croxley Link project. As the Watford Junction station and the tracks through it are also being remodelled, it looks like Watford is getting a full transport makeover.

April 19, 2014 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel | , , , | Leave a comment

A Shepherd’s Pie With A Crust

Last night I experimented with the Genius bread and parmesan crust on a shepherd’s pie.

The recipe I used was my standard one. I actually just made enough for one, although I’ve now got enough in the fridge for a lunch later in the week.

It was good, but the next one will be better! Especially in the looks department.

The great thing about it, is that you don’t need to feel and mash the potato. I’m quite capable of doing that with my gammy left hand, but I like to try to be the laziest cook in London.

April 15, 2014 Posted by | Food | | Leave a comment

Celery, Ham And Spinach Gratin

This recipe from Lindsey Bareham was my supper last night and there is enough left for lunch today.

Celery, Ham And Spinach Gratin

Celery, Ham And Spinach Gratin

Perhaps the most interesting thing is the topping. I just took two slices of Genius soft brown sliced loaf, took off the crusts and then blitzed them in my Little Chopper with a couple of table-spoonfuls of finely grated parmesan. Simple, efficient and perfect every time! I use the same topping in Cinty’s fish pie.

I said I would have it for lunch today.  This is the cold gratin on my plate.

Cold Gratin For Lunch

Cold Gratin For Lunch

It was very nice and the crust held-up well after a night in the fridge.

April 13, 2014 Posted by | Food | , | 2 Comments

To The Football At Huddersfield

I arrived in Manchester on my trip from Southport at Piccadilly and had the long walk from Platform 13 to the main concourse to get the tram to my hotel. There are plans to put another two platforms here, so careful design must be used to avoid worsening a nightmare interchange.

I had a bath and then returned to Piccadilly for supper in Carluccio’s. This branch seems to be much faster than most and I’ve not missed a train yet there, due to a slow meal.

I nearly did this time though, as the next Huddersfield train left at 18:11 and I didn’t get to Platform 13 until 18:15.  But the crowded train was late!

I was in my seat half-an-hour before the match started.

Ipswich won 2-0 and I was able to catch the 22:00 train back to Manchester, where I had a non-alcoholic nightcap in Carluccio’s.

I suspect that Piccadilly needs almost to create a new concourse linking the dreaded Platforms 13 and 14 and the proposed two new ones to the lines in the main station, at the far end of the station.

Let’s hope some of the UK’s best architects are working on creating a station fit for the twentieth century, let alone the twenty-first!

April 8, 2014 Posted by | Food, Sport, Transport/Travel | , , , , | Leave a comment