Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
thanet gannet in his natural habitat
It’s funny how popular I’ve become of late [Really, are you sure? Ed]. The past few months have seen a constant stream of people keen to get together, catch up or just plain drop by. I’m not complaining, as it’s made for a rather excellent first summer in Broadstairs.
The continual carousel of friends and associated others isn’t without its worries mind. Saturdays are fine. Guests arrive mid-morning. They unpack. We trek to the beach in buggy convoy. Have fun. Scoff pizzas staring at the sea. Skip to Morelli’s for dessert and then roll home for a snooze. Fish and chips fill the house at teatime, which leaves just enough room for a DVD before the sea air takes its toll on our plumptious guests. I just love Saturdays; it’s the Sundays that scared me. The Sundays that keep me awake on Saturdays. The Sundays that sent me scuttling around Thanet in the early hours.
Here’s the thing: croissants have an incredibly small window of edibility. I reckon you’ve got four hours (from baking) until staling sets in and slams it shut for good. A minute more and you’ll be banging in nails with it. Then there’s the quality issue. They can vary like Pantone references and are quite often less appetising.
Luckily this will soon be a distant memory, as my year-long search for the perfect pastry has come to an end in the most unlikely of places. The Co-operative. Amazing. The Lord’s day now sees me put a tenner in their collection box and in return receive biblical amounts of pain au raisin, pain au chocolat, almond and plain croissants plus one solitary cheese twist thingy, the ‘goer’s treat’, which I scoff on my way home. By 9.30 the Gannet household has plundered my magnificent bounty and is demanding details of this amazing artisan baker.
I shall, of course, remain tight-lipped on this matter, because once they know that their local Co-operative is a master baker, spending weekends by the sea may not prove so popular after all.
the latest
you reckon
Yes it is art, chalk is green harmless and washes [...]
According to Lisa on Chalk art
The money for NYE fireworks was raised by local bu [...]
According to Fiona on With a whimper
This is the kind of thing that I might have though [...]
According to John Holyer on Queen comes to Margate
Fireworks on the turbines - finally someone has co [...]
According to isleone on With a whimper
I love the Co-op’s croissants…
Budgens also do a very acceptable Sunday morning pastry. Fresh and pleasingly crisp. You have to get there early mind……..
Oh well done everybody. Co-op, Budgens, what next? Frozen chips from Tesco? This is IsleOne, searching out the best in local shops.
For God’s sake.
I have heard it said that Lidl do an excellent tin of espresso coffee for £1.49. Gives Lavazza a run for its money apparently.
Well, as you probably work in Lidl, you should know.
We hadn’t planned on including a section on budget supermarkets but it looks as though the boutique B&Bs will just have to make way. Not that there’s many of them.
Excuse me this is England, toast and homemade blackberry & apple jam/pear & ginger marmalade. Continental Corner have a lovely selection of preserves, greengage for one. Buy a lovely big granary loaf from Crustys on Saturday just before your afternoon snooze. Sorted.
Porridge
no don’t like porridge, and don’t like meat but am told that you can’t get better bacon than that which may be purchased from the wonderful emporium which is Victory News. Perhaps Gannet you should survey the best cooked breackie in town. Sundays will be a worry no more as you troll out to try every cafe.
I am still to visit Victory News. Are they the ones opposite the Nelson that purvey pies too? I’m currently doing a piece on the greasy spoon cafes of Thanet. I’ve visited one in Ramsgate and Margate and still to chose which one to pick from Broadstairs. Any suggestions? Will also include Beanos as it is everywhere.
Glad it’s not just me that enjoys his weekend snooze.
Yes Victory News is opposite the Nelson and they do do amazing pies. Made that morning on the premises and they sell Chai Stop curries which are soooo good. The Buttery used to be the best greasy spoon in B’st but it’s gone a bit up market.
The Buttery is upmarket?
than it was
Helter Skelter does an all day cooked breakfast. I’ve heard its lovely! I wouldn’t call it a greasy spoon though.
Gannet – you have a lot of breakfasts to try out. Get gobbling.
I shall begin my gobbleathon in 24 hours.