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Taste Of Gujarat, Red Lion St., Richmond Upon Thames (15th March 2011) by thomo

The motely crew gathered for a few at The White Cross in Richmond, namely: Slim Neil, myself, Newts, Zip, GP, Jez & Jim. It was a good humoured evening with the added pleasure of trying an new Curry House.

The White Cross is a great pub, in the summer the terrace with the river views is excellent, in the winter the warm atmosphere inside is perfect. Most appreciated was the Duchars, the Youngs was good and the Golden a refreshingly different flavour.

The Taste of Gujarat was spotted and we courageously ventured forth, upon arrival we were the only customers! We take the role of explorers/pioneers seriously so down we sat, soon joined by parties on 2 other tables. The owners were welcoming & the waitress quite charming. The Kebab Platter was a mountain of well cooked food and the vegetable assortment was admired. Very grim toilet which got a lot of use after 5 pints in The White Cross, topped up with a couple of Cobras. Good food, sweet service, we'll visit again.

Spice of India, The Cut, Waterloo (16th February 2011) by Tim Beard

In a break with our normal custom the February ROT was held on Wednesday 16th which by happy coincidence was also the GRN’s 50th birthday. Zippy assured us that he was on a pink ticket on account that he had entertained Nikki to a fine lunch at the Festival Hall. He was quick to point out that the passing of his first half century on the planet had indeed been a joyous one blessed with merriment and debauchery in equal measures.

The Barge Captain produced a fine tankard and Captain Grumpy a suitable photograph depicting the GRN in a signature semi Nazi style pose on a bench somewhere in Belgium.  Meanwhile Pymmy was rudely watching a program on the pub TV. The preceding week had been cold, however the weather took a turn for the better tonight and Jimmy elected to leave his trademark top-coat at home and came in something lighter and more fashionable. There was encouraging news on the employment front too. Newtsey had just been for a promising interview as had Basky.  Both reported that the job market seemed more buoyant.  I had also just started a new job with Sungard whose offices were 200 yards from our designation pub, The Rose and Crown in Paris Gardens.

This was a new destination and seemed to be met with positive comments. A pleasant atmosphere and a good selection of Shepherd Neame ales to sample. The GRN worked his way down the line and back again. Spitfire, Master Brew, Late Red, Kent’s Best and Jack. We all followed his example. The only slight draw back was that the lighting in the pub was a little bright.

Onto the “Spice of India” in the Cut. The Popadums were warm and the relishes adequate.

Lovage, SE1 (7th December 2010) by Junior

In keeping with tradition in recent years, it was my honour and privilege to host the Christmas RoT meeting, following a brief and entertaining sojourn to Chez Pymster's in St Margaret’s last year. The evening began with Sherry and mince pies at our new flat in Bermondsey (pronounced) Bur-mond-saaay in the hope that it sounds less like and East end crack den. The chaps braved the local streets and arrived somewhat 'light' on the mince pie front, as they daren’t go in any of the local shops without a stab vest. Nevertheless, plenty of Sherry on hand and a good turn-out including Vowler, Stimo, Bogger and the recalcitrant Pymy. We headed of to Shad Thames, a short walk to the local pub – the 'Dean Swift'.

Under new management for a number of months, the Swift has a small but well kept range of ales. We partook of the UBU and Wandsworth (can't remember the variety) which were in excellent shape. The new landlord is a young chap who, to his credit, is passionate about the place and an ale and food enthusiast. Both he and the head chef, with whom we passed some time with at the bar, were knowledgeable and pleasant and a brief look at the menu, which includes ale and cheese tasting menu, will tell you this place is worth a visit for food or ale - anytime. A packed bar testament to the popularity of the place and proof that if put the effort in, people will respond. The previous management had successfully created a soulless dive.

We then moved on to Lovage, which is an excellent high class Indian restaurant, even if it is pricey by any standards. The usual scrum for popadoms and pickles ensued, with second orders of pickles all round, due to the somewhat mean portions. Pymster then broke with the long standing tradition of RoT and allowed his current lady friend to attend the remainder of the evening. It rapidly became obvious as to why this tradition of no RoT WAGs has held out so long, as several fifty-something ‘gentlemen’ tried their best lines out on the hapless lady. Mains arrived and were rapidly consumed. Everything was generally excellent, although to no-ones surprise Zip complained about something (at least I think he did, and it seems unlikely that everything was to his liking). Lovage is a place you should visit, but I fancy it's price means that it is a special occasion venue in these austere times.

The Chutney, Wandsworth (26th October 2010) by mikebate

A meeting of RoTters was held on Tuesday, Oct 26^th with a compliment of the more reliable amongst us, namely me, Bascy, Junior, Newtsey, and two occasional hangers-on called Vowler and Bogger.  Apart from Tomo, who had carelessly agreed to pick his wife up from the airport, the usual drop-outs dropped out.

The evening was scheduled to start at The Alma, a splendid pub opposite the station in Wandsworth.  This started the first confusion of the evening as it turned out to undergoing renovation.  The early birds decamped to The Royal Standard, a tiny pub just along the street and everyone else had to guess where they were.  It had lost a bit of its old atmosphere since being painted white inside, the bar being adjusted, and no naked, drunk, rugby revellers, but the ales were good and included Doombar.  It was exceptionally busy as more confused people, expecting a pint of delicious Young’s bitter at The Alma, took refuge.

Deciding that variety is the spice of life we then headed up the hill to The East Hill, a ‘Geromino’ Pub.  This is like a yuppie’s pub which has been lifted out of Chelsea and plonked in Wandsworth but we soon felt at home when we’d turned our collars up.   There was a good class of people in there with fine-looking damsels and a jolly atmosphere.  Newtsey was very tempted to enjoy one of the plump, home-made, pork pies placed teasingly on the bar but decided to look after his hour-glass figure and wait for his curry.  Unfortunately I’ve forgotten the ales because I was too pissed but I do remember my first choice running out as soon as I asked for a pint which was most irritating.

Then on to Chutneys Indian Restaurant almost next door.  We were revisiting this establishment after a positive experience previously.  The usual display of Cobras (with half pint glasses for etiquette) presented itself and papadoms were crunched with the reliable array of pickles.   A variety of fine main courses, vegetables (with wife-beating Tarka Dahl), rices and breads were ordered except mine did not live up to expectations, being too creamy, not spicy enough, and the sauce too thin but I’ll forgive them. It was at this stage of the proceedings that the next episode of mayhem was experienced.  Vowler claimed that the current economic woes were caused by the bankers, blindly forgetting it was really caused by over-zealous borrowing and absurd public-servant expansion by the ousted labour government.  Emotions ran high, voices were raised, heads were turned, and cries of ‘Apologise! Apologise!’ rang through the restaurant.  Vowler was suitably chastised and disappeared off on his 2-wheel car wearing a carefully-crafted copy of the Socialist Worker paper as a helmet and sounding like an annoyed Mutley.

Newtsey and I had a final emergency pint at The Standard as the remaining stragglers went to the wrong platform of Wandsworth station to go home.  A fine evening and one to be repeated when the Alma opens again (apparently it now is).

Spice of India, The Cut, Waterloo (27th July 2010) by Basky

The summer season meant that ROTters were few and far between but eventually, after a late flurry of emails and phone calls, we were able to muster a reasonable attendance. Newts Senior, Junior, Pymster and Basky converged on The Kings Arms in Roupel Street.

When the GRN is away, the ROTers will play!  There was a relaxed, 'hippie-like' mood in the Kings Arms, which quickly degenerated into almost total anarchy.  ROT violations came thick and fast.  First, there was no kitty (can you imagine it!), next, one member (who shall remain nameless - but you can probably guess who) decided that he would be drinking that fizzy, frozen, wee-coloured beverage.  We had only just forgiven him for wearing a pair of Telly Savalas shades, and then he goes and requests a pint of lager! Mayhem!

We didn't stay long in the pub, probably our shortest ever visit, but the couple of pints of Doom Bar and Pride we sampled went down well.

The Spice of India had opened it's large front windows, which gave it a welcoming and 'airy' feel.  After papadoms and chutneys, we ordered a diverse selection of mains from the menu, plus the obligatory tarka dahl.  The Lamb Rezala had a distinctive flavour and was reasonably spicy.  The service was as friendly and attentive as usual.

Simply Indian, Tabard St., SE1 (6th April 2010) by Junior

A core group of RoT –ers attended this remarkable evening, hosted by Junior (looking less like his nickname with every passing day) as an introduction to his new ‘manor’. It was duly noted by the attendees (Vowler, Newts Senior and GRN Bates) that the ‘first Tuesday in the month’ once again threw many of our clan, having only been the case for ten or so years of RoT-ing, it has yet to gel with some members, who persistently schedule meetings and other events on this hallowed day.

Whilst falling somewhat short of the bile and vitriol the GRN wished poured upon you, I must comment that it seems strange that such a simple concept can cause such angst. It’s the first Tuesday of the month, and I guess will remain so (unless changed by consensus and prior arrangement) for some time to come.

So to the ale house. The Royal Oak Tabard Street is a gem, a proper pub that can entertain in harmony both the builders and the media types found on this particular night. Well kept Harveys of all varieties was on tap, although no guest ale was to be found, the best, pale ale and mild were all sampled with only the latter causing a raised eyebrow due to its somewhat watery taste. GRN found his way to the Thatchers West Country cider – a move not copied by the wiser West Country bred brethren in attendance, who have seen the dreaded ‘apples’ put paid to many a stout yeoman, friend and warrior.

A few ales later we crossed the road to the extremely convenient Simply Indian. Being a BYO, we dispatched a few of the crew to the ubiquitous Tesco Metro around the corner to secure quantities of Cobra. Sadly, Tesco’s was sold out so Peroni and Heineken were bought as poor substitute. Now Simply Indian was a recommendation from friends in the area and proved an excellent dining experience. GRN sampled the duck curry, Chicken Jalfrezi, Halibut and meatball curry were ordered with some sides, rice and naan. To say that this tiny little venue was a revelation is an understatement. The food was fresh, innovative, free from ghee and delicious. Add the fact that the mains were between £6 and £7 and we struggled to see how they could make a living. Fabulous little gem of a place and is top of my list for take aways and impromptu rubys.

The night fizzled somewhat as Arsenal took a thrashing from Barcelona, leaving Vowler a little down in the mouth, and Senior (looking every bit his nickname with every passing day) having to drive, thus we departed for our various worlds early. Verdict: a top pub, top curry, short on attendance. Shame on you as it was genuinely your loss.