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!

I was delighted to discover that my colleague maintains a blog about Reading neighbour Newbury.  Her blog entries are published on the Newbury Today website.  Way to go, Madeleine!

Further to my recent post about Reading’s new sushi bar, complete with conveyor belt, I now know its name: one o eight.

The photo seen here was sent to me by Reading 107 FM’s Joff Hopkins, who observes:

They’ve missed a trick with the name… thinking of the possibilities of teaming up with the local radio station!

Thanks Joff! I can see it now: “Top tunas to get you through your lunch hour”. Or “That was ‘Kiss Them for Me’, by Sushi and the Banshees”.

I received an email from a Seattle-based expat asking for top 10 tips for a newcomer to Reading. So here are my personal suggestions:

1. Visit Forbury Gardens, dominated by the famous Maiwand Lion statue. From the park, you can easily walk to the now ruined Reading Abbey, founded in the 12th century by Henry I (who, I think, is buried in the area). Also check out the nearby luxury Forbury Hotel.
2. Watch Reading FC play at the Madejski stadium (cheer them on - they need it at the moment). The local football team are, for only the second time in their long history (the club was founded in 1871), playing in the country’s elite league. Actress Kate Winslet is said to be a fan of Reading FC. Let’s hope they don’t sink like the Titanic.
3. Visit Reading Museum, where you can learn about the history of the town, including the birth of a biscuit empire (Huntley & Palmer’s). Admission is free.
4. Cruise the Thames on the Caversham Princess. The departure point is close to Caversham Bridge, where you can also feed the many swans that congregate in the area.
5. Reading is recognised internationally for its festivals. The town really comes alive in August (Reading Festival) and the Reading Beer and Cider Festival is a barrel-load of fun in May. Other than these major festivals, there are many smaller events running throughout the year.
6. If shopping’s your thing, Reading’s Victorian architecture can be admired while visiting Broad Street’s high street shops. More interesting units can be found in Harris Arcade and “Smelly Alley”, so called because it pongs (but don’t let that put you off). The Oracle is probably Reading’s biggest retail draw. Every major town has at least one Oracle-size shopping centre. This mall offers the River Kennet and its colourful barges, and a glimpse of the mysterious, weed-ridden Holy Brook. The Holy Brook is a mostly underground stream that supplied water to Reading Abbey (founded in 1121).
7. Tummy grumbling? Avoid the big chains. Instead, try a home-made pie at Sweeney & Todd, named after the legendary 19th century serial killer. There are many fillings to choose from, some less traditional than others, and you can enjoy your pie with a pint of ale. Alternatively, eat at Chronicles, a cellar bar and restaurant formerly occupied by the Reading Chronicle. A third great option is a pub called The Griffin, reached from Reading by crossing the Thames into Caversham. If you fancy something a bit more exotic, Taste of Malaysia and Tutu’s Table (Ethiopian), at the Global Cafe, are superb, and if you eat vegetarian food only, then I recommend Cafe Iguana.
8. Flagging? Time for a coffee! In Reading, there is a coffee-shop glut (you will find them everywhere: in bookshops, arcades, department stores and street corners). Again, avoid the big chains. Instead, enjoy a cup of ethical coffee at Picnic, a place that feels warm and homely. Excellent coffee can also be had a little further away from the town centre, at Workhouse Coffee. I also recommend Tutu’s Table (Ethiopian) once more: coffee was discovered in Ethiopia, after all, and there you can try coffee prepared in the original way, before machines with more nozzles than the Space Shuttle were invented.
9. Reading, like any large town, has a busy nightlife. Avoid the heaving chain bars of Friar Street. Instead, try local pubs with a more unique flavour: the tucked-away, award-winning Retreat, highly regarded for its cider, and The Hobgoblin, a traditional pub with a good range of ales and a bewildering collection of beermats (warning: mobile phone use in the pub is strictly forbidden). Pubs aside, Bar Iguana is a small and absolutely cracking venue worth visiting for the music alone: reggae/drum and bass with live vocals. For a more swanky experience, try classy cocktail bar Mix and the tres chic Cerise (Forbury Hotel). If you’ve just stepped off the train, head straight to the luxury Malmaison across the road from the station for a more relaxing drink. Three other venues are also worth mentioning: Zero Degrees, for producing its own award-winning beer, the Purple Turtle for its cosmopolitan crowd and late-night drinks, and The Blagrave Arms, as it was taken over by a mate of mine.
10. And finally, leave town. Eh? Yes, that’s right - get outta town! One of the best things about Reading is its location. It’s surrounded by gorgeous countryside. Head North into the hills (officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), where you can find fantastic country pubs serving great food and quality beer. Around Reading, there are a number of towns and villages worth visiting for their charm and history, such as Pangbourne, Goring, Sonning and Henley along the Thames river.

What would your top 10 tips be?

I remember saying a while back that was Reading really needed was a conveyor belt sushi restaurant (because they’re fun and London has had them since 1994).  Well, we’re finally getting one, and it’s taking shape in Queen Victoria St. (Reading Station would also be a great location for one, like Paddington).

I can’t wait for it (I’ve forgotten its name, but it isn’t YO! Sushi) to open.  I’m also very much looking forward to a Reading Borders store, Foyles, Madison’s Coffee…