Category Archives: Eateries

Stovell’s, Chobham

If two of you are attending a restaurant by car, one of you has to forgo alcohol.

I’m not a big drinker, as I’ve probably mentioned before. I don’t like the taste of alcohol, preferring apple juice to cider, fancy fizzy pop to champagne and milkshakes to White Russians. This makes me the natural designated driver, and while I’m always hopeful of something interesting yet non-alcoholic on the drinks menu, often as not there’s nothing that inspiring.

Therefore while H perused the amazing cocktail menu at Stovell’s (125 Windsor Road, Chobham), I was feeling a bit left out until I noticed on the menu it said to ask about soda, cordials etc. The incredibly helpful bar guy asked me what I liked, and I mentioned how the rhubarb puree in one of the cocktails had caught my eye. A few minutes later I was sipping a rhubarb, nettle, chocolate bitters and soda concoction, and feeling content.

This excellent start set the tone for the meal. After ordering, wonderful warm rolls with two types of butter (one smoked) arrived, accompanied by a pea shot and some interesting large crisps of different varieties, including parmesan and potato.

nibbles

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Nanglo Cafe and Restaurant, Aldershot

Aldershot’s historic connection with Gurkha soldiers has led to a large Nepalese community settling in the local area.

There have always been the odd few restaurants here extolling the virtues of Nepalese cuisine, but the increasing audience has seen a rise in outlets and the growth of a more specialist approach.

The other night we visited Nanglo (46 Grosvenor Road, Aldershot). Its website had talked of a menu containing 30 dishes from Nepal, and I was interested to see what new things there might be to try.

Nanglo Thali

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Sunday Lunch At: Aviator, Farnborough

I’ve decided to kick off a series of posts on Sunday lunches available near my new location.

The lucky place that hosted me and H for lunch last weekend was Aviator hotel in Farnborough. It’s a very stylish place on the edge of Farnborough Airport, and we braved a whole inch of snow to go there.

Aviator brasserie Sunday lunch

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Cau, Guildford

Having secured myself a new job on the Hants/Surrey border, a few weeks ago H and I moved down in a car crammed with crap. We were lovingly reunited with our stored possessions as we moved into our rented flat, and ever since I’ve been tentatively contacting people I used to know round here to rekindle some neglected friendships.

One pair of friends with whom we were still in regular contact suggested a restaurant trip to a newish Argentinian steak place in Guildford called Cau. I perused the menu one lunchtime at work, and sold on the idea of churros with chocolate sauce, if not so much so on the steak, we opted for a midweek evening meal and rolled up on a Tuesday.

steak

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