This week

We recently saw a TV coverage of an Indian restaurant - Manju, Brighton, and decided to visit.  This is a tiny 20 cover Indian restaurant in The Lanes, Brighton, run by Manju, an 85 year old who worked in a factory her entire life until her sons gave her the premises to fulfil her dream and create Gujarati cuisine.  

Manju's, Brighton

Her food, prepared with the help of one chef, is made from scratch, fresh to the table.  The wait between courses can be long or not depending on what you are having but with the intention that each plate is savored and your palate rests between courses.  The chutneys also are hand made on the premises, one having 32 ingredients!  In fact, one of her sons proudly told us the only thing not made by them is the ice cream and popadoms.

This was a special place and we will be returning.  They have plans to make a book but not to expand or change what they have created, a personal, friendly experience  for small numbers, to enjoy Indian food at its best.

above: lentil dahl, yoghurt dip and pickled vegetables

above: paneer chilli

above: smashed samosas

above: home made chutney selection

above: rest room facilities, clean and fresh

(I always like to check)

above: those delicious smashed samosa were worth a second picture!

On the walk up to get the train I passed a garden I often pass and look at longingly as it is full of hydrangea flowers.  Recently the house changed hands and the owner was cutting down all those lovely flowers, so I asked if I could pick a few up on my return.  She was very kind and I later found 13 blooms waiting for me.  I will dry them to make my Winter wreaths.  Aren't they beautiful! 

No pictures of Brighton this time as it was heaving with fans coming for the football and we spent a fair amount of the day in the pub chatting to interesting random  people and I forgot to take any pics.

Sunday was spent at the allotment in the morning, then home for a shower and back to the allotment for the annual bbq, there was an onion growing competition and a young lad brought some of his beautiful honey, still on the comb, which tasted delicious.  This was his first year's produce and I will be buying some.

 

The bbq was delicious (I took veggie burgers) with sausages, burgers, salads, cakes and trifles and everyone brought beer.

Bank holiday Monday is yet to come and I plan to catch up on housework and spend some time with hubby and sons who are both here for the weekend.  Back soon....