A very dear friend who heard of my recent spat with a family history website suggested it might be time to kiss and make up: to 'eat humble pie', as they put it.
It's not a dish that has ever much appeared on the menu at Blunt Mansion, I must say, but I decided on this occasion that they may well have been right.
It took some tracking down, I can tell you, but I finally found some in the unlikely venue of the North Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby, hitherto famous as the birthplace of antipodean explorer Captain James Cook and as the setting for Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula. I chanced upon it during a day out there with my brother, Colin Blunt, something of an epicure himself. Regular readers of my blog will know that there is no love lost between us but, since he was paying, I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.
Humble Pie 'n' Mash had been in business less than two weeks when we ate there today. As the name would suggest, it specialises in fine, home-made pies of the hearty and nutritious variety. From the menu, I chose a rather delicious Lamb and Rosemary Pie which came with a superb mashed potato and mushy peas that had been mushed to perfection, together with a tasty gravy. My dining companion had the beef mince pie, with similar trimmings. We both pronounced the pies to be perfect.
I hold no brief for the friendly and pretty proprietress, young Becky, nor for her partner Ben. But I know a good pie when I scoff one, and Ben and Becky are pie-makers extraordinaire, based at 163 Church Street, Whitby (telephone 01947 606 185). They should be proud of their achievement. As something of a connoisseur of the great British pie, I can heartily recommend the establishment for a visit when you might next be in its proximity. If you share my love of pies, then you may even decide to make a special detour to Whitby just to try these little beauties out. You'll be glad you did.
Friday, 1 June 2007
It Doesn't Stick In the Throat
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6 comments:
I do like pies but I believe that Whitby is north of Tunbridge Wells - oh well......
I shall endeavour to bring one to Vienna for you, daddy papersurfer.
In any case, I forsee a franchise for Humble Pie 'n' Mash in the years ahead, so they may well yet drift southwards...
As I drove home this evening trying to avoid the carpark on the M6 from junction 26 down to 21, after picking up teenagers from Camelot, I cut across Wigan and down the country lanes to home. The sun was shining, the air was warm, the cropped tops and shorts were out & I was heard to say on more than one occassion 'who ate all the pies?'
Surely it was not you Bill?? after all your good efforts in your Speedos in the swimming pool?
Alas, 70s Teen, in my time I have scoffed more than my fair share of the 'Wigan Kebab' - two meat and potato pies on a stick.
Now, my intake is more measured. Quality will out, though, and I am tempted when I see it.
I shall stop by to sample some when I'm there in 2008!
You won't regret it, Matthew!
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