Thistly Cross Cider 9* Belhaven Fruit Farm, from Edinburgh Farmers' Market and Cornelius Beers and Wines, 18-20 Easter Road, Edinburgh, £2.70
Scotland's first cider from the makers of Belhaven Fruit Ice. this cider is described as ‘Scottish and Strong'. and certainly puts the '0' in ‘oft' thanks to its impressive 7.2% ABV. But deSpite its unexpected kick. Thistly Cross manages to be tangy. sweet and the same colour as lrn Bru all at once. Put simply. it's lovely stuff. 00..
Kopparberg with Mixed Fruits Available at stores nationwide, see www.koppar berguk.com for more details, £2.45
More alcoholic- tasting than Jacques. Kopparberg's addition to the busy cider shelf is dominated by the strong smell and taste of raspberry. with a slightly chemical aftertaste. But while this variety is the weaker sibling of the Kopparberg family, it's ideal for those who like their cider just that little bit sweeter. O.
Magners Pear Cider Available at stores nationwide, see www.magners pear.com for more details, £2.09
The second cider from the brand that made cider ‘cool' again, promises ‘100% pear. 0% disappointment' — and fails. Behind all its packaging and promises. this is a bland and unsatisfying beverage that although made from pears. doesn‘t have any other exciting features. meaning it just can't compete with its tastier and altogether more exciting predecessor.
O
Weston’s Perry Cornelius Beers and Wines, 18-20 Easter Road, Edinburgh, £2 Despite a surge in popularity in the 908. Perry has never quite recovered from its association with bargain basement fizz like Lambrini and Babycham — that is. until now. Weston‘s perry is tangy. dry and refreshing without being too foamy or artificial tasting. A proper drink for real grown-ups. it's also suitable for vegans and coeliacs. But at 7.4%. you'd better go easy. .00.
FOODFOR
Patrick Bardoulet
French Chef
For more food and drink visit www.llst.co.uk/food
Jacques Cider with Fruit Available at stores nationwide, see www.jacques cider.co.uk for more details, £4.59
For a drink that smells like a bag of melted boiled sweets. it's no surprise to discover that it tastes just as artificral. and about as alcoholic. as a kids carton of juice. In truth. this cider tastes more like an alcopop than any of its apple and pear decended bretheren. On the plus side. its large size and screw top make it ideal for carrying around the city on a hot summer's day. 0..
Dunkerton’s Organic Cider Peckham’s, 49 South Clerk Street, Edinburgh, £1.79
Made by the- award wrnning Dunkerton's Cider Mill in Hertfordshire. this golden and sparkling cider makes for a truly unique experience thanks to its distinctive earthy scent and deliciously crisp and fruity taste. Not too overpowering or sharp. Dunkerton‘s have succeeded in creating a delicate and timeless cider that deserves your full attention and appreciation. .0...
I am from Paris. the focus of many of the celebrations associated with Bastille Day. 14 July. It's a national holiday. so there’s the chance to enjoy breakfast — in Paris this will be a baguette and coffee or chocolate. It sounds disgusting to the British but the baguette has to be dipped in the coffee. Otherwise it's just too dry. It's a day out for most people. and many will have a picnic lunch. This isn't actually that different to what you'd have over here: sandwiches. some ham. smoked salmon. Because we're from the north of France we'd probably drink cider with it. For dinner we might eat fish. as there's still an annual tradition for the fish merchants from the north coast to bring a huge block of ice j in a horse-drawn cart down to Paris as a reminder of how difficult it was to transport fish two hundred years ago. They'd bring fresh Dover sole. mackerel. lobster and clams. but it's still a two-day journey. For dessert — well. being so close to Normandy there's nothing better than a caramelised tarte tatin with
creme fraiche.
I Patrick Bardou/et rs the chef- director of the Horseshoe Inn. a restaurant with rooms in Edd/estone near Peep/es chosen as the AA'S Scott/sh Restaurant of the Year in 2007/08. 07 721 730225. horseshoe/nn.co.uk
News to nibble on
I I'll! BIB TENT FESTIVAL in the lovely setting of Falkland Palace’s orchard and grounds takes place over the weekend of Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July. As the biggest eco-festival in Scotland, and the birthplace of the award-winning Fife Diet a couple of years back, good food is a significant part of the event with a genuinely local emphasis - chow down on a venison pie from Fletchers of Auchtermuchty, fresh salads from Pillars of Hercules and ice cream from Leven’s 663. There’s also an organic beer tent run by the Black Isle Brewery, food demos and a new café in the campsite. Ticket hotline is 01592 611101 or visit www.bigtentfestival. co.uk
I RENE!“ when coffee bars started appearing in bookshops and everyone thought it was the greatest advance in culture since the Renaissance? Well, there’s now a cafe located right beside the largest collection of books. manuscripts. maps and newspapers in the country. at the National Library of Scotland on George N Bridge in Edinburgh. Part of the remodelled visitor centre in the entrance to the library, the cafe serves good-quality tea and coffee, fresh sandwiches. snacks. cakes, beer and wine. See nls.uk/about/visitor—centre
I BEST mm for its curry houses, Sanjay Majhu’s Harlequin Restaurant Group has opened up another tapas bar in the former Spice of Life restaurant at 1293 Argyle Street Glasgow. Under the banner of Tapas International, it resurrects that classic all- things-to-alI-people with downsized portions of Spanish, Thai, Indian, Chinese, Mediterranean, American and Scottish dishes. Bookings on 0141 337 6378 or tapasinternational.com
19—23 Jul 2009 THE LIST 1 1