This is the “Real Deal”

(That’s a meat smoker in the background BTW). After playing around with this one above, I decided I wanted one. The 200 Euros is OK for a bespoke item, but the weight and size makes it prohibitive to ship to the UK by courier. And they dont sell heavy duty ones like that in the UK that I found. All we can buy here is mild steel Chinese ones and occasionally American Webers if you pay enough.

I am quite enthusiastic about the barbie now; so much so, I imported all my skewers, special fish grilles, tons of marinades, oil brushes and all kinds of stuff from Estonia (mostly Swedish brands) as the stuff in the UK is just total crap and very over-priced compared to what is available out there.

Now, as to why I think this will be a good topic: From the time I have spent in the US, I know we Brits have not the slightest clue about the barbie compared to our pals over the pond. We [as a nation; not me personally] cook cheap sausages in the drizzle; the Yanks are cooking fillet steaks and all kinds of other yummy stuff. The Aussies appear to have written the book on the barbie as they have the climate to do it almost daily – a lot of fish seems to be on the menu there. The Russians seem to have their own way, and seem to stick to variants of this rectangular steel box design, and appear to favour pork.

So what is your experience of the barbie in the FSU?
What do you cook at home?
What do you cook over?
What style of grill do you prefer?

I was recently waxing lyrical about honey from Russia and Estonia. A guy said to me: Odd.  Please explain why.  Apis mellifera is an Apis mellifera in the UK or Russia.  Honey depends primarily on the flowering plant from which the nectar is gathered.  Usually the local vegetation is so diverse that honey is honey.  [...]

Orient Express.
35 Victory 40 Street.
Avtozavodsky
Togliatti
Russia.

And because Russia is the last outpost of the free world — you can smoke! There are discreet, silent smoke extractors on the ceiling so non smokers feel no pain. Yes, ashtrays on the tables (the very moment you put one out they replace it). I expect Californians would photograph those ashtrays as a tourist attraction

It arrived when they said it would (on a Friday evening it must be said) so they get 5 stars for service. It wasn’t expensive nor cheap – so 4 stars for value. Questionable chicken that wasn’t exactly as ordered and chopped up king prawns stopped them getting a 5 stars for food rating, but as these are relatively minor things that don’t stop the world turning, they do get 4 stars for food. I didn’t order through this “curriesonline” site though, as it doesn’t adequately explain how the order might be transmitted (or indeed if), who you pay or how much the site takes in kickback. I don’t know how legit the site is even. So I called them and ordered direct. However, the info came from CurriesOnline.co.uk, so I placed the review there too.

Mandarin Indian and Chinese Restaurant and Grill. Tartu Mnt 42, 10115, Tallinn, Estonia. Telephone: 600 5878.

All in all, avoid the Mandarin in Tallinn like the plague. The service is sullen, the food is awful, the décor is drab and dreary and the adjacent parking you must pay for. There is absolutely no reason to visit this place, and the fact that it is bereft of locals would suggest that this is a fact known locally already

There is a waiter there – I forget his name – but you will recognise him when you see him. Italian (he claims) and skinny, but he is the funniest waiter I have ever met. He will have you splitting your sides laughing, he should be on stage. I am not convinced his Italian accent is not completely affected, and would not be shocked to learn he is really from Barnsley. You will hear him before you see him, and you will know it is him by the funky glasses he wears.

The clientele: Being in Stockport, Amici attracts the typical Stockport woman – overweight, a bit supercilious, a tad loud and generally best avoided – and who doesn’t know a decent piece of fillet from any other piece of meat she may consume on a meal inclusive two week Eastjet discount jaunt to Turkey. She thinks Amici is great! The rest of the typical clientele are the over 50’s (the only ones who have money in a recession – having no mortgage), they remember the austere 1970’s, so think Amici is decadent. (Did I see an automatic Austin Princess in the car park?) The crowd is mostly quiet, local and non-discerning. Some will be celebrating birthdays and occasions as that’s the only time they get to venture into a restaurant.

Valentino’s Italian Restaurant, 121 Heaton Moor Rd, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 4HY. Tel: 0161 443 1843. This place used to be a real little hidden jewel of restaurants about ten years ago. We visited there again a couple of times recently; and my, how things have changed! In the past, it was run by an Italian [...]

the decor is a bit naff and the furniture reminiscent of a cafe/diner rather than a restaurant