THIS & THAT

Think of this next post as purely for my benefit, enabling me to refer you to the exemplar curry cafe whenever the mood takes me.

The Holts sunk, assorted Southworths and Mudgies headed for the Marble Arch, a pub of some repute I believe.

I set off for Rochdale. Not on foot.

Just like George Michael sang in 1986, I took a different corner and ended up here:

An easy mistake.

Why does your tummy always rumble when you walk past a curry cafe?

It was a choice of rag pudding and turps in an hour in the ‘Dale, or Rice’n’Three right now.

I succumbed.

I’ve been coming here for 25 years on and off since Manchester’s CAMRA branches added a curry section to their guide to the best places to drink Drabs in Mancly.

But even I would never claim this is the best food in town, just a warm and healthy bargain in a scary alley.

My lad has been regaling me with tales of it being “better than ever“, and I reckon there is more meat than I remember. Is this gentrification?

£6.50 for a massive plate of spinach, dhal and beef.

£6.50 won’t buy you a half of milkshake turnip sour in the Northern Quarter these days, as Matt also knows.

Only one thing could dampen my euphoria at falling in love with This & That. A faint memory of something retiredmartin once wrote about never drinking beer after curry.

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

17 thoughts on “THIS & THAT”

  1. Ah , the perfect post to “re-enter” as it were. Plus… first! 🙂

    “Think of this next post as purely for my benefit, enabling me to refer you to the exemplar curry cafe whenever the mood takes”

    I thought all of your posts were purely for your benefit. I mean, look at all of the selfies you’ve shown us over the years. 😉

    Oh, and with regards to the photo above; they really should have spray painted Oscar the Grouch on the wall. 🙂

    “Just like George Michael sang in 1986”

    I’m assuming that a Careless Whisper took you to a Different Corner as a Last Request to have you Move On before you Shoot the Dog to Heal the Pain?

    “Why does your tummy always rumble when you walk past a curry cafe”

    My tummy is weird. It rumbles AFTER I’ve had a curry… or practically any meal for that matter.

    “just a warm and healthy bargain in a scary alley.”

    Nowt wrong with what we call ‘comfort food’.

    “A faint memory of something retiredmartin once wrote about never drinking beer after curry.”

    Might I suggest apple cider vinegar? And perhaps a tab of Ex-Lax prior to noshing. 🙂

    Cheers!

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      1. Thx Martin. Things are going ok. Back home now and trying to handle the estate from 2,500 miles away. So far, so good (fingers crossed).

        Still may be a bit sporadic online but when possible I do look forward to having a beer and commenting on a few of the posts by the regulars. 🙂

        Cheers

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  3. Have really enjoyed the last few weeks of reading posts, RM…… had some catching up to do to keep up with your ferocious pace. A positive alignment in the force now that Russ is back….just need to hear from PPT now!

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  4. I know in the past I have attempted at least one satire of outlandish craft beer flavors, but I’m certain it wasn’t nearly as good as “milkshake turnip sour”! (Even as we laugh about it, some up and coming brewer may read those words and think, “Hey, that could be *amazing*…)

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  5. Martin, what would you claim is the best food in Manchester? Preferably in curry terms. Not had a curry on the wrong side of the hills for a while. My knowledge in that area is somewhat lacking.

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      1. I’ve always gone Kashmir in Drabford. Should really try the others.

        Thanks for the Manc gen. I shall give Marhaba a go. It will make a change from Back Piccadilly.

        I’ve never been in a Brew Dog. Not even the one in Donny.

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      3. Looking at your link, it seems that the Marhaba actually is my usual establishment. I usually spend around 20 minutes looking for it. How long should I allow to find This n That?

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      4. Yes, when you mentioned Back Piccadilly I wondered.

        I have no idea where This & That is but pop in to the Barber School and my son will show you.

        Or take Thomas Street, the road between Hare & Hounds and Lower Turks Head, and it’s on your right. It’s very good.

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