Reading Roars!

According to today’s Evening Post, Tesco is planning to open another supermarket, Tesco Express, less than a mile from its controversial supersized Oxford Road store.

I am not going to comment on this particular decision. At least, not now. What I will say is that an alternative to Reading’s supermarkets has landed, if only temporarily: the Butter Market’s International Food and Crafts Fair and the Big Green Market. Stallholders will be adding a touch of middle class magic to the new-look site in central Reading, selling familiar continental products such as cheese, olives and olive oils, ciabatta and coffee.

I took a stroll around Butter Market this drizzly afternoon and was surprised to discover a giant paella cooking, a blazing hog roast and Swedish cider, with flavours including passionfruit and strawberry & lime. The Butter Market will be sadly returning to normal after Saturday 27 October. Someone please make this a permanent fixture.

Tutu’s Table, the Global Cafe’s regular Ethiopian food buffet, will be a year old next week. To celebrate, Tutu will be hosting one of her traditional coffee ceremonies (if, like me, you’re crazy about caffeine, this is not one to miss). Not only that, but staff members at the cafe will be in spooky fancy dress - as the coffee ceremony will be taking place on 31 October (starting at 7pm). Thirdly, there will be a halloween-themed quiz. Woo hoo (or better put: wooooooo hoo!).

And now for the C word (no, not that one). Christmas is coming, as the likes of Argos remind us now on the telly (”This Christmas…”). Tutu will be offering an alternative festive menu at the cost of £16.50 per person. No tiresome turkey here, but lamb pan-fried with onion, green pepper, rosemary and butter. See the image below for full details.

Reading’s first sushi conveyor belt bar, Sushi one0eight (also known as S108), opened last weekend.  As well as sushi (plates are £2), the restaurant offers tortilla wraps, salads, Asahi beer and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.  Here’s more:

• Eat 10 plates and get the next plate free.  The usual - pick up a loyalty card and get it stamped
• Get a sushi roll for free by presenting this voucher

The Lombok people are outside The Oracle’s Broad St entrance today, offering shoppers the chance to win

• £500 to spend at their Reading store
• Dinner for two at Reading’s Malmaison

Furthermore, the Lombokians are giving away bags containing 2007 and Spring/Summer catalogues, a Quality Street sweet and, best of all, a card giving the holder a 15% discount against Lombok products (Reading only).

We’ve really been quite fortunate with Wagamama offers.  Vouchers were recently published in the Reading Chronicle (if you missed one, there was always another in a subsequent Chronicle edition to look forward to).  Now, just for today only, you can enjoy a 2 for 1 on main meals offer (I’m guessing that Wagamama were anticipating empty benches tonight due to the nation watching the rugby).

A reader has written to me about a new eatery in Reading: Chicago Roasthouse (73-75 Whitley St., close to the town centre). As the name suggests, Chicago Roasthouse offer an American-style steak and roast menu: beef joint, BBQ spare ribs, turkey roast and more. The restaurant provides takeaway and delivery services (a “steak out”, if you prefer :)), buffets for parties and, of course, Sunday roasts! Students get special rates.

I can feel my stomach juices gurgling as I examine the reader’s email:

The menu includes a selection of roasts prepared in a variety of ways. Banish any thought that these could be of the overcooked and dry variety - these dishes are glorious, simply bursting with distinctive fresh tastes.

I like to think I have impeccable table manners but these had to set aside to give due “finger licking” justice to the majestic rack of sticky barbeque pork ribs with “healthy” baked potato and creamy coleslaw. Damp cloths were provided to help restore a little dignity. I followed the ribs with a small tower of sinfully divine homemade chocolate brownie like cakes, perfectly complimented with a heavy handed dollop of fromage fraise.

My companion enthused over her vegetarian nut bake and the freshly prepared apple with toffee crunch dessert should qualify as a recipe for success all on its own - hard not to over indulge with such delectable offerings.

My next post about this place will include a photo of my dinner plate!