Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A pig's a pig for all that


S.M.E.G. is back in the States and we're not quite thinking linearly just yet.

From the Mouth of the Clyde to the Butt of Lewis, through the Towns of Tongue and Twatt, we just threw open the doors of perception and let everything flow through. To get some momentum going, we're just pulling together some of the singular experiences we had and let's worry about a cohesive narrative later.

With that, here's a glimpse into a spectacularly low key and delicious Sunday lunch we shared at St. JOHN Bar and Restaurant, Fergus Henderson's and Trevor Gulliver's home of "Nose to Tail Eating".

A Kind of British Cooking

We arrive... a little late, but not to anyone's discomfort.

The Bar


The Bakery

The Dining Room and a peek into the Kitchen

The first of "a few"...

A green salad, in consecion to 5 a Day , which we admit is a good idea.

The Starters

Rabbit Offal on Toast

Duck Hearts on Celeriac

Brown Crab on Toast

Brawn, or Head Cheese

The Mains

Lamb Sweetbreads with Carrots

Greens and Runner Beans (3 of 5!)

Faggots and Peas
Roast Beef

The Desserts

Eccles Cake and Lancashire Cheese, with Port


The currant filling

Bread Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce and ice cream

Anthony Bourdain's famous "last supper" of Roast Bone Marrow & Parsley Salad, was on the 86 board for the day, but to tell the truth, initially armed with Chef Fergus' recipe and access to the Delaware Ave Price Chopper, I've made it some many times on my own now that I’m not sure what could be done to it in St John's kitchen that would elevate the joy I get from throwing it together in my own kitchen.

And I don't think this displeases anyone at St. John.

Monday, August 3, 2009

The Most Important Meal... Ever!

S.M.E.G.ers know that a full day of sight-seeing and pub-crawling is best begun with that bravest of breakfasts, The Full Scottish!


Delivered right to the door.


Coffee, fresh squeezed grapefruit Juice, toast with jam and marmalade assortment, Scottish mueslix mix.


For Chris: Scrambled, sausage, Scottish bacon, haggis on tattie scone, tomato, and mushrooms.



For Sandor: Poached, sausage, Scottish bacon, haggis on tattie scone, black pudding, tomato, and mushrooms.

And all topped with a thistle!



And now we're off and ready for a full day of Auld Reekie.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

S.M.E.G. Revealed!

  • Scottish Men's Eating Group?
  • Scottish Mountaineering Expedition Guild?
  • Sandor's Mighty Edinburgh Gallop?
Is S.M.E.G. one of these, or all of them?
Check in periodically to see what S.M.E.G. is up to!

Coming into Edinburgh



Touching down:


Into the City Center to the trip headquarters:



Checked in and lounging:



The View:



The 1st Pint



The 1st Meal at the Doric Tavern:

Carrot and Cilantro Soup

Haggis phylo pockets

Pan seared seabass

Lamb chops

Sticky Toffee Pudding


Hanging with the Father of Economics


Note to selves: come back tomorrow for cheese:


Afters at the Ensign Ewart




A quick call home...


... a number of pubs later and then back to the Scotsman with the infamous King Rib and Irn Bru!


Getting ready for bed and bulding up strength for a sunrise climb up Arthur's Seat.


Stay tuned, true believer, for more adventures of S.M.E.G.!