Matt, that's awesome! I will come eat at your place every time I'm in the UK :) Are you focusing on any particular stuff?
― Jaq, Monday, 20 August 2007 18:56 (seventeen years ago) link
It's falling into place? that's great news, well done mate
― Porkpie, Monday, 20 August 2007 19:23 (seventeen years ago) link
Wow, Matt, that's awesome, congrats! Where's it gonna be?
― G00blar, Monday, 20 August 2007 22:52 (seventeen years ago) link
Thanks chaps. I expect a visit next time you're north :)
Um, it'll be in Ormskirk ("A hotbed of nothing" - R. Fowler). It's been a couple of years in the planning and getting stuff into place but we're now just the stroke of a council official's pen away from actually opening (do not get me started on planning committees, they thought we were planning to be a wine bar so we've just had to restart the whole planning permission process). Once the change of use goes through then the lease on the site will be signed, we'll quit our jobs and get busy with sledgehammers.
The focus is on local as fuck, fish landed at Fleetwood, smoked stuff from Port of Lancaster, local meats and cheeses. It's a delicatessen with kitchen, so my business partner will be selling stuff in the shop whilst I'm knocking out meals upstairs. Platters constructed from the shop's stock, daily changing hot specials (for takeout also), cakes and what have you for afternoon tea (as a proud cornishman, I fully intend introducing a proper Cream Tea to the local heathens). Emphasis very much on the english though (admittedly my background is mostly in French/Italian so doubtless that'll creep in).
― Matt, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 00:36 (seventeen years ago) link
congratulations! i was going to say that i made a very nice beet and goat cheese thing last night, but that pales in comparison with your news.
― lauren, Tuesday, 21 August 2007 15:48 (seventeen years ago) link
Matt, that's so exciting!
― Madchen, Wednesday, 22 August 2007 06:03 (seventeen years ago) link
Wow! ILCooking FAP/M (pint/meal) in Ormskirk, anyone? Good luck, Matt!
― ailsa, Wednesday, 22 August 2007 06:30 (seventeen years ago) link
Woohoo! Matt, that's awesome! When will you know for sure?
― nathalie, Wednesday, 22 August 2007 12:48 (seventeen years ago) link
I'm already considering how one might rig the OFM awards next year :)
― Madchen, Wednesday, 22 August 2007 16:01 (seventeen years ago) link
Aw, you'll make me blush.
Basically all we're waiting on is the council's change of use coming through from the planning department of the local council. The licence is fine, the police are happy, the fire officers are happy, the disability access people are happy. The suppliers are ready, the contractors are ready, the staff are trained and waiting to go. The planning department were concerned about losing retail sites until we pointed out that we ARE retail. At which point they said "oh we've got you down as a wine bar". We said "eh? What on earth are you talking about? Wine merchants, yes, wine bar wtf?" and they said "well you'll have to start the change of use process again. So ner" and we smiled politely and said "of course" and plotted dark murder behind our smiles.
End of October, with a bit of luck.
― Matt, Thursday, 23 August 2007 16:37 (seventeen years ago) link
fingers x'ed Matt!
Company pitch-in today, so whipped together greek potato salad (redskins, feta, chopped green olives, w/ olive oil/lemon/black pepper dressing), parsley/tomato/mint/couscous dressed w/ olive oil/lemon/sea salt, and a pan of brownies.
― Jaq, Friday, 24 August 2007 15:54 (seventeen years ago) link
Marinated some top sirloin in lime juice, sriracha, and toasted sesame oil (no chipotles in the house and wanted some kind of spicy smokiness w/ the lime) for about 15 min, stabbing with a fork all over and flipping around 3-4 times. Dried off and grilled and was very spicily excellent.
― Jaq, Monday, 27 August 2007 21:20 (seventeen years ago) link
smoked bacon & kale over pasta. the smokiness of the bacon is very overpowering, i may have used to much! hahaha like that's possible.
― bell_labs, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 02:30 (seventeen years ago) link
Mrs Coastaltown has just cooked plum crumble, which was throroughly fabulous. I'm susbsisting on butties at the moment, long work stint.
― Matt, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 15:04 (seventeen years ago) link
Happy culinary new year!
― Casuistry, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 18:39 (seventeen years ago) link
Oops look here instead. Stupid cut and paste.
― Casuistry, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 18:40 (seventeen years ago) link