Hospitality is failing. Not my view, that of the industry, though I would not disagree. Where we do not agree, are the reasons why.
Hospitality is constantly whining, pleading for taxpayer bailout. Taxpayers should not bail out failing businesses.
A hotel I know, welcomes bad reviews. Why? It highlights problems that they need to address.
I find well run businesses welcome criticism, it highlights areas where they need to improve. To stay in business, you have to constantly improve, innovate to stay ahead of the game. Bad businesses, throw a tantrum, attack their crutics, become abusive, issue threats, ban them.
A couple of years ago, I noticed Nottingham had really improved its coffee game. I queried this. I was told competition. Not cut throat competition, beggar thy neighbour. It was striving to be the best.
Once upon a time, The Cheese Society served excellent cheese lunches. Not anymore, takeaway coffee and a sandwich, and laughable posts on social media. And very sad pathetic looking over priced baked goods on display in their shop.
As someone said to me, I’m not paying eight quid for a sandwich. Neither would I. I’d visit Nonna Juana Deli, excellent focaccia sandwich filled with brisket and salad.
If I want cheese, a day out in Nottingham, The Cheese Shop in Flying Horse Walk. The week before Christmas, they were queuing out the door. The owner and staff are very knowledgeable on cheeses.
Neal’s Yard Dairy in Covent Garden, a Mecca for cheese lovers. Single handed created today’s farmhouse cheese market. We will sell if you produce.
Last summer, in cooperation with Wellbeck Estate, Neal’s Yard organised a gathering of cheese producers. It was interesting to chat with the cheese producers.
Outside King’s Cross Railway Station, a food market. One stall, Comte cheese, stacked up wheels of Comte cheese. Chatting with the owner, he travelled to France to select the best. And yes, excellent Comte cheese.
A brie from The Cheese Society, why was it moving? It was running alive with maggots. I fed it to the crows.
Baked goods, again Nottingham. Effy, one of the best coffee shops in the country, baked goods worth a trip to Nottingham.
Sourdough bread, Wellbeck sourdough bread from Bailgate Deli, when hopefully it reopens. Or again Nottingham, though I won’t say where, as not obvious sourdough bread on sale.
Washingborough has a little bakery, Via Della Vita, selling excellent sourdough bread. Not only sourdough bread, also freshly prepared Mediterranean and Middle East cuisine to take away.
In the lead up to Christmas , Vine’s Bakery opened a pop up shop on Steep Hill. I learnt of its existence on a visit to their bakery. An eye catching display, which drew me in. A tiny little shop with a helpful charming young lady. A constant stream of customers, like me drawn in by the eye catching display. No one left empty handed. Hopefully they will soon reopen. In the meantime, Redhill Farm shop in Bailgate stock Vine’s sourdough bread. I don’t know if every day, or Saturday only.
Cost of Living crisis. Sourdough bread is expensive. How much do we value our health? Supermarket white bread, lovely and soft. Check out the ingredients. A long list including emulsifiers.
But even for sourdough, The Cheese Society is expensive. Cheaper elsewhere for sourdough bread.
Almond croissants £4-00! Though one of their customers did more.
Lincolnshire plum bread, cheaper Curtis and Bunty’s 1940s tea room on Steep Hill.
Laughable social media posts, OMG could not make it up if tried. Gimmicky baked goods. Maybe focus on quality.
And when you think it could not get any worse. WTF, a disgusting looking undrinkable coffee in a takeaway coffee, I think meant to be a flat white, into which is plunged a croissant, the coffee flows down the side of the cup. Why would anyone dunk a croissant into their coffee? Perverse.
On a positive note, the staff are always pleasant and helpful, know the cheese they are selling, will slice a portion to sample.
At the top of Steep Hill Hill, a shop sells wax-coated adulterated cheese. Er, no thanks.
Once a year, a disgusting junk food market in Lincoln High Street. A travelling junk food circus. One stall, Award Winning Cheese. They also have a stall on the Nottingham Christmas Market, tat and junk food. Wax-coated cheese. When asked what awards their cheese had won? Don’t know mate.
Once a month, the third Saturday of the month Castle Hill, Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese has a cheese stall. Not only their cheese, but local cheese and cheese from further afield. If very very lucky, Stichelton the original Stilton made from raw milk. Failing Stichelton, try Cote Hill Blue.
Books on cheese
- Reinventing the Wheel – Bronwen and Francis Percival
- A Cheesemonger’s History of The British Isles – Ned Palmer
Update: Excellent news. Vine’s are to reopen their pop up shop on Steep Hill (just below Steep Hill Wines).
Update: Excellent news. Garden Bakehouse coffee shop (opposite New Theatre Royal) stocking Vine’s sourdough bread and almond croissants.
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