h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Got confused. Why would you see people in cat flaps?

You got me really confused there for a moment, Milla

But, seriously, some of the members of this society [The Flat Cap and Muffler Soc] are still around. A732458

We had some interesting curry meets (beer may have been involved), with the flat cap and muffler societiet, when I lived in Manc hmm.... though now I think about it, I can't remember many of the details

That strong curru, uh?

I do recall the curry being pretty damn good in Manchester, and the kebabs being some of the best I've ever had (they're all, err, I'll get it wrong, halal? err, the one that isn't cosha ... err, neither words of which I can seem to spel )

Mind, I do recall when I was there, that Boddingtons seemed to be about the only beer most places did oh, and Kingfisher and Cobra, of course, in the curry takeaways

ooo... and sausage and chips was so* cheap (well, compaired to here, down south ) mmmm... pizza...t hat was cheap too... and the vodka... the vodka was so* cheap... how on earth did I manage to finish my MSc thesis/dissertation, with such distractions in my way ahh... I had a younger and less world-worn liver back then

Curry and kebab? Didn't try either of those at the previous Manchester meet, must remember to try them this year...

*faints*
I didn't think it was allowed to go to Manchester and not* eat a curry! I'm sure there is some ancient local law regarding the very issue! A curry on the pre-meet meet night, perhaps...?

Yep, it's an ancient law. Introduced by Djengis Khan the last time he visited Manchester. A Wednesday, if memory serves

And, don't forget, it was also Djengis Khan, whom, as the inventor of the kebab, brought the fabled donna kebab, to Manchester; Though, of course, it was origionally called the Djengis kebab, and was goat, not lamb; but well, I guess it just changed throughout the years

In fact, I think the Djengis Khan kebab house and BBQ grill which he opened, is sitll on Oxford Street... just a bit up from the Cro Bar, on the right hand side mmmmm... kebabs in proper wraps, rahter than the stupid cheap rubbish pita bread they try to fob you off which, here, in the South... damnit... I've not had a kebab since.... err, early last year or the end of the year before, and now I really fancy one
Right.
That sorts out what I'm getitng from the butchers tomorrow... I've always wanted to try homemade donna kebabs, it can't* be that hard... surely.... hmmm.... well, I can just make the wrap, or decent* pitta myself... salad is easy enough... chilli sauce can't be hard to quickly make... and the donna... without a spit... oo... I'm imagining some kind of ... err... sort of making a 'meat roll', out of minced/shreaded lamb, or h chicken, and then ... wrapped in foil, and baked... so it retains all* of the fat... and stays suculent.... maybe with some herbs and chilli in it... and paprika.... and... hmmm. I feel we've gone off topic a little bit again

The Palace was the place to go for Curry. Only two choices, I seem to recall.

Suicide and Killer.

Best after eleven teen + pints of Thwaites or Wilsons, the main in the late '70's. Boddies was ok and better than Wilsons.

Ah. The good old days…


MMF

Thwaites.... Are they still going? Not seen them anywhere in years

Still Brewing.
Four main brews are Original, Lancaster Bomber, Nutty Black (numerous pun) and Wainwright.
11 other seasonal brews.
These are all cask ales.

The one I miss is Thwaites Craftsman.

MMF

Four main brews sound familiar.... ahhh.. I remember, I bought a mixed case, of those four, (three bottles of each, quite probably), years* ago and thought them rahter good, but I recally can't ever recall seeing their beers on in a pub

I've seen Wainwright in Sainsburys, locally (Surrey)

Hate to disappoint you all, but the curry in Manchester these days is awful

And Wainwright is dead

The beer isn't, it's Thwaites flagship beer now and in all of their pubs and a lot of the freehouses too.

Phew, that's a relief

The curry isn't any good any more?! but the beer is How about the kebabs?

I do think it depends on where you go. I lament the fact that the 'Curry Mile' now has very few curry restaurants on it. They are all fried chicken, burger and kebab places, some of which do pizzas too.
There's still Lahore Cafe though, which is very nice, and Lal Qila where I stopped off last night for some samosas on the way home from the pub.