Reading Roars!

My request for a WOMAD 2006 press pass was turned down.  Understandably, I’m a bit disappointed.  Is it cos I is a blogger?  I was told that almost 300 requests had been received, with only 60 passes available.  But hey, I tried.  And I will still be going to the festival, to take place this year on 28-30 July.

Simon Jones, Editor of the Reading Chronicle, is now keeping a blog.  Well done Simon (but I got there first)! He has also got off to a prolific start.

Just a couple of points: the sidebar disappeared when I clicked on June 2006 (under Archives), and there are only two outbound links listed - one to the Reading Chronicle and the other to icBerkshire (where the online Chronicle sits anyway).  Let’s have links to Reading Roars! and the Evening Post, then we’ll have a real blog!

Yesterday afternoon my friend suggested lunch somewhere. Good idea, I thought. I knew was in for a busy and emotional afternoon of World Cup football (England followed by Brazil, both ultimately eliminated from the competition), so I had to prepare in the best possible way by relaxing outdoors over food and drink.

We ruled out The Oracle. Far too busy on a hot summer afternoon. I proposed Carluccio’s on Forbury Square.

The antipasti, Sicilian arancini di riso (GB£ 4.15), was shared between the two of us. Consisting of two crispy deep crispy deep fried rice balls, one filled with melting mozzarella and one with meat ragù, it wasn’t bad, though a little on the dry side.

My beverage was Granita di Limone (GB£ 2.25), lemon juice with crushed ice. It’s fabulously refreshing, but to enjoy it best I felt that the air temperature had to be in the thirties. Only then can the sweeping cold and lemon zest can be best appreciated.

My Secondi was Spaghetti alle vongole in bianco (GB£ 7.25), or “Neopolitan spaghetti with whole fresh clams, garlic, herbs and chilli”. This, too, was on the dry side. I’m glad the chillis were there, otherwise the dish would have been a little too unexciting. The clams were nice and plentiful, however.

I wrapped up with a Bicerin (GB£ 2.35), “a traditional drink from Torino - espress coffee, Florentine drinking chocolate and cream”. When the jugs of coffee, chocolate and cream arrived, I wasn’t sure about how to proceed. The girl serving us explained that I should mix them all together at once. I left out the cream, feeling a tad calorie-conscious, and put the chocolate and coffee together. They didn’t mix very well at all. It was over rather quickly and I was left feeling disappointed.

If there are any Italian readers out there (and my stats tell me there are a few), from Torino or elsewhere, what was I doing wrong? I helpfully include a photo so that you may provide instructions (arrows optional).

So overall, not bad. The location is pleasant and civilised, devoid of shoppers and kids, and service is friendly. Give it a go if you find The Oracle overwhelming. Bon apetito!