Ultimate blog of wonder

[fivemack]

http://hungryinhogtown.typepad.com

The kind of blog to make me feel profoundly inadequate at cooking, at describing, and even at eating. He can write, boy can he cook, and enthusiasm seeps out of every post. Not to be read when hungry.

I guess James will read this at some point: have a look at http://hungryinhogtown.typepad.com/hungry_in_hogtown/2006/03/el_bullis_vanil.html, and ponder quite how logistically crazy it would be actually to get you, me and Marian to El Bulli. It will have to be 2008, of course ...

It will be very expensive, but I notice with some slight embarrassment that in the last eighteen months I've spent nearly three times as much on pizzas at Pizza Express as I have on tasting menus and wine at the Fat Duck. Maybe less crazy would be to get the cookbook, but what kind of cookbook is in Catalan, weighs ten pounds, and costs 80 euros?

[Or is there a second molecular gastronomist in England, and my ears are just in the wrong place to have heard of him? It looks as if the molecular gastronomy city is Chicago, but I'm not willing to have my fingerprints and retina scans sent to the Department of Homeland Security even for canteloupe caviar and hazelnut-and-anchovy chocolate ganache]

Comments

[mobbsy.livejournal.com]

Anthony Flinn?

MG in England

[(Anonymous)]

If you're looking for a wonderful molecular gastronomy experience in England, look no further than Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck in Bray, just outside of London. He is a giant in the field as well, and his dishes are every bit as inventive and thrilling as the food at el Bulli. I believe the just released Restaurant Magazine rankings list The Fact Duck as the second best restaurant in the world, with only el Bulli above it. Now, I know rankings aren't for everyone, but it does give you an idea of how good this man's food is. I believe Blumenthal also writes a fascinating column for The Guardian, The Times, or both.

Re: MG in England

[fivemack.livejournal.com]

I went to the Fat Duck in January 2006, and it was astounding; see my gushing description (I'd not boast by calling it a review) here (http://fivemack.livejournal.com/76013.html). Anthony Flinn in Leeds does look interesting, and is a lot closer than Barcelona, though luring my Cadiz-resident brother to Leeds might be harder than to Catalonia.

Re: MG in England

[fivemack.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry if this comes across as rude, but may I ask who you are?

Have you been to El Bulli, and is it worth the awkward travel and the year-in-advance planning?

[carbonel]

Bruce Schneier went to El Bulli last year, and thought it was interesting, but not necessarily worth it. On the other hand, he goes to the Fat Duck whenever he can. Also St. John, as another reference point, though that's not molecular gastronomy.

I think his review of El Bulli was f-locked, but I can ask to forward it to you if you like.

[fivemack.livejournal.com]

I found a review of El Bulli conveying those sentiments, by a user called Schneier, on http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=88797&st=40, so there's no need for you to bother Bruce on my account. Is St John the amazing offal restaurant in central London?

[carbonel]

That's the one; I forgot that he's on eGullet as well.

And yes, St John is the "nose to tail eating" restaurant. I tried to go there last time I was in London, and there was a reservation available, but one of the people I was traveling with was a semivegetarian, and decided decided he wasn't sufficiently adventurous.

One of these days I'll get there.

[(Anonymous)]

Yes, I did read it. El Bulli, well. The difficult thing will not be getting there - if you're going to spend that much on a meal (and I do hope we do), then even hiring a car (even hiring a taxi) to get across from Barcelona becomes an arguable expense. Also, Marian has friends in Barcelona - we're going to rent a room from one of them for 20 euros a night, so accommodation isn't a real problem. The big worry is the reservation, and if we agree to go now-ish, then that shouldn't be a real worry. It's something Marian dreams about too.