The Foodies Forum

dingsy · Moderator Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 931 Location: Devon

Located a stone's throw from our lovely new rugby stadium, "The Blue Ball" is the archetypal Devon pub. Low beamed bar (under which one of our party had to duck!), and beautiful, huge open fire. The food is good,cooked well, and presented beautifully. But choice, at a lunchtime is limited, relying heavily on various fish dishes.

There were 5 of us for a birthday lunch for our eldest baby (aged 24!). The boys had the fish/chips/mushy peas-2 fillets, one of cod, one whiting, and a huge bowl of fries. The fish was lovely, in a thin crisp batter, but both felt that chunky chips would have been nicer. The mushy peas, weren't mushy-but mashed petit pois!!! Sam (Jennifer's boyfriend) was the most adventurous-he opted for the bream-which was lovely (I know cos I had a taste!)

I wasn't in a fishy mood, so somewhat surprisingly opted for the sausages in an onion gravy, with horseradish mash. Nice...but the gravy was too thick, and rather salty. Jennifer the birthday girl, not overly fond of fish, asked for a sausage sandwich (the only other non fish dish on the menu was liver!). To be honest-she got the best deal. The sandwich was effectively a small loaf of freshly baked bread, stuffed with 3 sausages (and an orange marmalade, which apparently gave it an "oomph"). Garnished with a very generous portion of salad, and fries, she was delighted with her choice!

The total bill (including drinks), was £54, so not bad for 5 of us, given that included 7 drinks! Not terribly celebratory I felt, but then we went home to fresh coffee and chocolate cake.

We've eaten there in the evening, and the choice is naturally much better. Nonetheless, we were all quite pleased with our choices-but Jenny-a sausage sandwich for your birthday!!!

MissMuppet · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:49 am Post subject:

That sounds very reasonable Elaine for 5 people... and Jennifer's sandwich sounds rather nice!
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Davbro · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:54 am Post subject:

Sounds great Elaine but I must take issue on the chunky chips, I don`t like them, I am a thin chipstick guy. Don`t much like MacDonalds meals but I do like the chips.

dingsy · Moderator Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 931 Location: Devon

We're all chunky here Dave! Tesco do a lovely oven chip in their finest range-I usually have a bag in the freezer for convenience, and they're rather nice!

Nannyp · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:06 pm Post subject:

I'm with mr Bro...I love French Fries and dislike chunky chips. Especially the Beefeater ones.

It will be intersting eating out inn the UK in July.....we've got so used to French fayre

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Davbro · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject:

Kathy,
From the French resaurants I go to now the pre food snacks seems to have been dropped.
I remember eating in French restaurants (in UK) many years ago where a gratis bowl of raw veg was put on the table as you sat down. Normally consisted of carrots, cauliflower, white cabbage and celery avilable to chew on until the meal was ready.
Does this happen in France.