We descended upon "The Rising Sun" at Nether Green and bought pints of local beer. Not something I am used to doing on a Monday lunchtime. Then we sat down to peruse the menu.
Being less sophisticated than me, the other guys picked meals fit for factory workers - (a) pie of the day with chips (American: fries) and (b) burger with chips. However, I was in the mood for something special and memorable so I went for pan-seared pigeon breast, leg lollipop, pea puree, boulangere potatoes, pigeon jus and wild garlic oil. I followed this with a dessert of white chocolate mousse with honeycomb, strawberry gel and shortbread crumb.
My meal was delicious. I hadn't eaten pigeon in decades and I had forgotten how earthy and tender it was - a real taste sensation. From now on those wood pigeons that descend upon our garden had better watch out. I will have my catapult ready.
As usual Mike, Mick and I conversed merrily for the full two hours we were in "The Rising Sun". How many words have we exchanged in the past thirty years? Thousands of them - like a vast shoal of sardines.
That's a nice way to spend a few hours, in the company of old friends. I've never had pigeon, nor would I order it, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteYes thanks Pixie. A splendid lunch. Coo! Coo!
DeleteHave smokin' some of that wacky tobaccy?
ReplyDeleteNope. My name ain't Bruce!
DeleteHmmm... there can't be much meat on a pieon.
ReplyDeleteWell I don't know what a "pieon" is but on a pigeon there's a nice bit of meat. Maybe I had the breasts of two pigeons.
DeleteQuite the daring palate you have!
ReplyDeleteYes but I would not eat dog.
DeleteGood times!
ReplyDeleteBut they do not happen 24/7.
DeleteRelaxing and being stress free is what you're talking about. It makes for good times.
ReplyDeleteI know you get that special feeling with your old buddies and colleagues Red.
DeleteYour meal sounds wonderful. I can't remember exactly when it was I ate pigeon, but it has to be in the late 1960s when I was living with mum.
ReplyDeleteI would happily eat it again. Coo! Coo!
DeleteTime spent with friends, good food and drinks to match - bliss!
ReplyDeleteI have never eaten pigeon, not much of a poultry fan anyway, but depending on what the pie of the day was, I guess I would have gone for that.
It was chicken and creamy dijon mustard pie!
DeleteI think I've made a joke about the house of the rising sun before, so I won't this time. It must be nice to have friends. Maybe one day I'll have one.
ReplyDeleteYou could advertise for one Andrew. There must be somebody out there who would like you.
DeleteI ate pigeon once, many years ago. It had a gamey flavour I seem to recall but was very good.
ReplyDeleteWe don't see it on the menu much these days.
No - you don't see it often. That is why I picked it... or should that read pecked it?!
DeleteSounds like a good way to spend a Monday afternoon!
ReplyDeleteHow's the diet going YP?
Not so well Carol but at least at the age of 71 I have managed to stop putting sugar in my hot drinks. That is surely something.
DeleteTalk of pigeon reminds me of the Tom Lehrer track "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park"
ReplyDeleteI envy the pints of local beer. It's the black stuff, cider or lager here.
ReplyDeleteI'd try that, at least once.
ReplyDeleteIs pea puree the same thing as mushy peas?
ReplyDeleteI'm also curious to know if your quiz friends teased you about your choice of a meal.
Not a meal that I would get but it's good that you enjoyed it, Neil.
ReplyDeleteThat's a most enjoyable way to spend time with friends.
ReplyDeleteI tend to think of doves as birds fed by humans rather than eaten... (Just because I've never seen it on a menu doesn't have to mean it never happens, though. I very rarely "eat out" at all.)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great little pub. Did Mick and Mike tease you for your highfalutin meal?
ReplyDeletea baby sardine saw her first submarine, she was scared so she watched through a peephole..... o come come come, said the sardine's mum, it's only a tin full of people!!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing your pigeon would taste much like the mourning dove people eat here? Is it a dark meat? I've never cared for wild game (birds or mammals), but I did enjoy dove hunting at one point in my life (no judgement, please). And even as a vegan, I don't mind cooking things like that for others to eat.
ReplyDelete