I think its fair to say that in England we eat out a lot less than you do in the States. Maybe its because its more expensive here, or maybe its cultural – I don’t know. So LindaB, yes, I cook at home nearly every day. We have a fantastic Butchers shop here in Leamington, its pricey but has ‘special offer and half price’ day on Monday so I’m there straight after I’ve dropped the girls off at school. It has award-winning sausages … so Tori, my bangers and mash will be better than any you have tasted in the pubs of England!

As for my favourite places, to eat out … for breakfast/lunch we have a fantastic little place called ‘fat birds cafe’ which has a great atmosphere and does really good food – occasionally I’ve been known to sneak in with a few other school Mums and partake of a ‘sausage and egg butty’. There are some really good chinese restaurants in town too – our current favourite is buffet style, mainly because the kids can be fussy and we know there will always be lots they like. There is a great french bistro too, and a lovely, family run, Italian – but these have been reserved for the all too rare nights out without the children!

I’m looking forward to discovering some new favourites when we move back up to Newcastle, but am definitely going to miss the butchers shop down here!

I guess this is similar to Loveless for me. I thought it was better before it bacame more commercial. Still good though. And even though it’s a bar restaurant it’s where I take all guests if we go out to eat, or where I recommend going out to it with others. Been eating there, off and on, over fifteen years now. Knew the original chef. Yes, even though a bar restaurant, they first had a chef working there. The place is Helsinki famous for its hamburger, which my friend created when he was bored. He hates making hamburgers and one day, playing around, thought to himself, “If I was ever forced to make a hamburger, how would I do it!?” Well he did it, one restaurant critic found out about it, the rest is history.

jonny

Where do you live?

I just about have to cook nowdays since hubby had a heart attack and needs low fat, low salt, low calorie food! Can’t get that at McDonalds or Wendy’s or Taco Bell!!!

Oh, that reminds me of something funny that happened here recently. My daughter bought a Happy Meal for her two year old while they were out shopping, and he didn’t eat it all. So, she stopped my here to visit and took his leftover Happy Meal (one half eaten chicken nugget, a small container of apple sauce, and about three french fries) in my fridge closed up in the McD’s bag. And she forgot about it. So, that night, I packed hubby’s lunch and put it in a McDonald’s bag and put it in the fridge. (You can tell where this is going, can’t ya?) Next morning, he grabbed the remains of the Happy Meal and took it to work. When he opened it up at lunchtime, the guys he works with fell on the floor laughing—-they tease him unmercifully about his wife putting him on a strick diet when he used to eat whatever he wanted—–and what he wanted was BIG and BAD! They thought it was my idea of a low cal lunch! He then CALLED ME from the shop and said, “Hey Linda! Is this your idea of a diet lunch??? I had to go out and buy my lunch today—–and the guys were hysterical!”

Yesterday, I was shopping at the Family Dollar Store (nothing but the best around here, ya know!) and saw a display of grab bags with “Something for a little girl” and “Something for a little boy” printed in big letters on the paper bags. I bought the one for a “Little Boy” so I could use it to send his lunch in today! LOL

Which is all of no consequence or blog worthy, just rambling ’cause it’s too hot here to do anything else! Is it hot where you live?

In your neck of the woods we love Campbells Station and Country Store!! Near Culleoka…learned about it from DP. Food is awesome and the Fried Pies…Oh My!! Owner is usually in there along with her daughter and grand daughter!! Wonderful People!! Already have our reservations for when we are there over Labor Day for DP’s Barn Bash!!! You & Russ should “come on down!!!!!”

Most every place is a chain restaurant here in Aiken. One of the very few exceptions is Eejays. I love their salads! I should say, I love their salad dressings. They make their own…and their blue cheese is to die for. Actually, the rest of their foods are okay…but it’s those dressing that make the place special.

I understand there is a Cracker Barrel coming here and everyone is excited about that. Have you had their apple dumpling? But make sure that two of you will be eating the one dumpling because it is huge.

Hey other midwesterners,…what am I forgetting?

rachelbaker– I can’t really complain about Cracker Barrel, we get take-out from there on a regular basis. It’s just that the little hole in the wall places are better! Tell me about some of your favorite neighborhood places– England certainly has some great Indian and Thai cafes.

Gramma Jac— BWAHAHAHAHHA! OK, everybody click that link and go listen– it’s actually pretty accurate as well as funny! (Now tell me about mpm and pop restaurants, Midwestern style!

delightedabroad– On behalf of everyone in the U.S., thank you! And ‘Happy Independence Day’ works just fine, as well as ‘Happy 4th of July.’

Oh, and Happy Independence Day! (Or what else do you say???)

By the way, here a Bar-B-Q is a “sloppy joe” or a Cook-out which may not even include barbecue sauce!!

If you haven’t seen this song, it explains it all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ubTQfr_tyY

Nana Rosa’s looks wonderful, I love Italian food. Hmmmm, hungry now.

The window at Nana Rosa’s looks so sparkling clean!!! Great picture!