Wednesday, December 19, 2007

On the straight and Narrow

My previous attempts at sampling the delights of the Narrow – one of the pubs in the Ramsay family, have been thwarted by my chosen dining companion being so very unreliable – (I hope you’re squirming if you’re reading this ZZ?) Fortunately I have a much more dependable 'partner in lunching' today – D, and she’s coming to spend a couple of days with me and this is the first of our planned foodie treats.
However, the whole expedition was nearly called off with the unfortunate untimely bathroom flood that started in the wee small hours of this morning. But the timely ministrations of P the plumber and MC, the Narrow won’t be narrowly missed again.
The Narrow is nestling alongside the River Thames in Limehouse, and undoubtedly it’s very popular. Getting a table is quite tricky and the place is pretty packed with happy looking drinkers and diners.

We are starving and hungrily pour over the menu meanwhile glancing at our fellow diners at their dark wood square tables. The pies at our neighbours’ table seem too good to resist so that decision is made. For starters D has the rustic looking potted salt beef with pickles. I chose the flaky and rather fabulous plump smoked haddock and salmon fishcake with tartare sauce.

After our very fine pub fare starters we both start tucking into a plate of steak and kidney pie with mash. What really could be better than that?

But even we hadn’t been in a pie frame of mind we could have plumped for Cumberland bangers with mash and gravy or Essex saddleback pork chop with Brussels sprouts, chestnuts, apple sauce or even braised Gloucester pig cheeks with mashed neeps instead. But the pie was very tasty so we weren't disappointed.

To round off our hearty meal we finished with a round of yummy fruity crumble and slice of ginger pudding with custard.

The Narrow was worth waiting for we are now incredibly stuffed. The slight problem is that we have an evening ahead of Christmas Food festivities at Harvey Nichols 5th floor and I’m not entirely sure another morsel could pass our lips. Whoops!

The Narrow laid on a final touch to make me feel at home, their bathroom had sprung a leak – how uncanny! Two forks for the Narrow, I am very glad I finally got there.

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