Pubgoers in Nottingham: rileyroxx

Here are five of the best:

The Trip Jerusalem, as it’s more commonly known, is popular with locals and tourists alike. Back in the day, during the Crusades, the pub was a stopping point (the word tryppe meant ‘break in a journey’) for soldiers on their way to Jerusalem. It is also, reportedly, the oldest inn in England, in operation since 1189.

Patrons of a ghost walk outside Ye Olde Trip Jerusalem
with Nottingham castle in the upper left: Lee J Haywood

Lore abounds here, and the most popular legend is the one of the cursed galleon. The model ship is dripping with dust and cobwebs and is hundreds of years old. The last three people who tried to clean the ship all died mysteriously, so it is now kept protected in a glass case.

The galleon now hangs above the second floor bar in the Rock Lounge and there is also a ground floor bar and patio. Along with cursed ships and ghost stories, and the old wooden pregnancy chair (if a woman sits there, she’s purported to soon get pregnant), the pub also has a wide selection of ales and lagers including the Olde Trip Ale, a decent selection of wines and cocktails and some delicious pub grub.

Open 11AM-11PM Monday-Saturday, 12PM-10:30PM Sunday
1 Brewhouse Yard
0115 947 3171

Dating back to at least 1437, the Bell Inn has wood paneling and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The Bell Inn: stevecadman

Originally a refectory (monastic dining house) of the Carmelite Monastery, with the dissolution of the monasteries, it became a pub. The name came from the bell that once hung outside. And like so many buildings in Nottingham, this one is also on top of caves; tours are available on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

The pub used to be men only, but in 1969 it was opened to women. There is a large bar at the back while seating upstairs in the Belfry is a bit more upscale. It’s a family-run pub with a wide selection of cask ales.

Open 9AM-11:30PM Monday-Thursday, 9AM-12:30AM Friday-Saturday
18 Angel Row
0115 947 5241

Renovated and enjoying a revival, The Ropewalk Pub in (as you would guess) the Ropewalk area of Nottingham is a great place to relax, play board games, check your email via the free wi-fi, people watch, and revel in the casual, local pub feel.

Chimpdrinking Nottingham pubgoers (also used
as Feature Photo): andybullock77

They have a great variety of beer from Budvar to Sierra Nevada to Peroni to Fruli & Mort Subite.

Popular with students and business people, this is another bar with some theme nights. Monday is open mic night, and on Wednesdays, bottles of wine are on special with every bottle available for £10. Stop by for a great Sunday roast at lunch: choose from pork, beef, chicken or nut roast from between £7.50 and £8.50. Then stay to enjoy the pub quiz night on Sunday night; it is £1 to enter and a £30 tab paid at the bar if you win.

Open 12PM-12AM Sunday-Thursday, 12PM-2AM Friday-Saturday
107-111 Derby Road
0115 959 6181

It’s easy to see why Coco Tang was named the winner of Nottingham’s best bar in 2010. Situated in Nottingham’s Lace Market district, this (literally) underground spot was only opened in 2008.

The Cursed Galleon: Lee J Haywood

A red lantern signals the entrance down a narrow hallway into a collection of rooms with a speakeasy, retro vibe. There are two bars and a large dance floor, and it’s a hidden staircase in the back that guides you to the secret rooftop patio. The clientele is definitely there to see and be seen: very trendy, a bit indie and funky, and a place to bring your A-game.

They have drinks that were inspired by fairy tales: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party anyone? Or less fairy tale inspired, but just as delicious – the Krispy Kreme cocktail. The music is house and funk, and it can get busy on the weekends, so be prepared to queue.

Open Monday-Saturday 8PM-3AM
45 Bridlesmith Gate
07825 889 370

Housed in what was actually once a canal warehouse, the Canalhouse has a narrow bridge, boat and the canal actually runs into it, which is something I’ve never experienced in a pub before.

Narrowboat at the Canalhouse: ~Duncan~

Just moments away from the train station, the pub is off the beaten track of the city center. Here, you can enjoy the Castle Rock Harvest Pale Ale, other Castle Rock selections, and over 50 bottled beers.

There’s a large terrace with a view out over the canal that’s nice as long as the weather is behaving itself. Near businesses and offices, expect to see suits and business attire at lunchtime, though overall it’s a casual spot.

Open 12PM-11PM Monday-Wednesday, 12PM-12AM Thursday, 12PM-1AM Friday-Saturday, 12PM-10:30PM Sunday
48-52 Canal Street
0115 955 5011

Community Connection

Planning a trip to the UK? Better pop in at Matador’s Focus Page on the UK, then!

Rolling out the dough at Ben’s. Photo by contusion

Tavern on Jane Street

This is a neighborhood pub, off the radar for most reviewers, a boisterous bar with about 25 tables and some supremely great wine choices. The restaurant feels like something that Paul Revere might have eaten at – lots of brick, wood and low ceilings. So charming, in fact, that you should break the rule and bring a Trojan on the first date, because you’re getting laid if you have half a game and start the night here.

I recommend the burger, which crushes those across the street at Corner Bistro and is as hot as any other beef in the burger porn world.

Tavern on Jane, 31 8th Ave, (212) 675-2526

Toasties

New York Deli sandwiches are dreamt of worldwide but the truth is that most of them suck – crackled bread, questionable meat, bottom shelf mayonnaise. Toasties (embarrassing to say out loud – “Meet me at Toasties.”) pounds the nail straight into the stud.

The Half King. Photo by roboppy

Three locations serve unreal sandwiches. The Alice is a work of art; a combination of turkey breast, brie cheese, granny smith apples, Romaine lettuce, and honey mustard. The Smoke Jack does me in every time – turkey with melted jack cheese, bacon, sundried-tomato pate and honey Dijon.

Toppings can be mixed, matched and manifested. Their breakfast sandwiches will leave you full all day. This is a sandwich as good as any New Yorker dreams of.

Toasties, multiple locations, NYC

Thainy

Every New Yorker has their favorite Thai place and this is mine. Reasonably priced for New York, the food is simple and perfect. The décor is a bit much but that’s never distracted me from having a fantastic bowl of Tom Kha, or indulging in their peanut curry.

Suitable for an early dinner with friends, or a blind date from the internet.

Thainy, 94 3rd Avenue, (212) 696-2888

Patsy’s

I’d rather not muck about with waiting in line with tourists for some bulge-eyed pizza – this is as good as any other famous brick oven pizzeria. Patsy’s has a few locations in the city but doesn’t feel like a chain. Even a Jersey Girl could dig it.

The pizza is as good as it gets, with fresh cheese and slightly charred crust. Their family sized salads are great to share and do like I do; get a side of their sweet, homemade marinara to dip your bread in. Classy? No. Great? Yes.

Patsy’s Pizzeria, multiple locations

The Half King

Appetizers at La Mela. Photo by tubbynj

Owned by writer Sebastian Junger, The Half King dishes out “pub food done right.” It’s an excellent place to have a proper Sunday Brunch, especially if you’re from the UK and crave some bangers or beans. The fish & chips is my favorite, heaped onto a plate with a side of some tart and tasty cole slaw.

There’s a small back garden with about ten tables, the kind of tiny space that New Yorkers covet. Great for birthday dinners and dates from the internet.

The Half King, 505 W 23rd St, (212) 462-4300

Sushi Sen Nin

Awkwardly located around the corner from The Empire State Building, Sen Nin is a bit of a ghost town at night, yet entirely packed at lunchtime. Don’t let the half-filled room fool you – this is some of the best sushi in the city. And it isn’t cheap.

The rolls are heaping, often covered with multi-colored roe – as much spectacle as fresh, incredible fish. I’m addicted to the tuna tatake salad (with crunchy pieces of garlic) and the simple Sunny California roll (brown rice, crab, avocado and mango). I’ve twice gone for a sushi boat and both times left feeling like a prince or a king or a queen. I’d go here before Nobu or Blue Ribbon, because I am a true sushi ninja.

Sushi Sen Nin, 30 East 33rd Street, (212) 889-220

Tortilla Flats

Most of the time, this is a fratty Mexican place that feels like a bar, with booths and strong drinks. I would never show up on a weeknight when it’s stuffed with people downing pitchers of margaritas, crushing on members of the opposite sex or getting plowed during Tuesday Night Bingo.

For me, it’s all about Sunday at noon, when the place is mostly empty. I’ll take down a Frisbee-sized quesadilla grande, gorge on chips & salsa and probably make the move towards a second or third margarita, not leaving until I am stumbly and bloated. Elvis and Ramones might blast on the system, but so might Three Dog Night or Foreigner.

Many, many times I’ve sat here for hours, reading the New York Times and having a “quiet moment” in this normally raucous establishment. If it matters to you, several times I’ve also been in the company of neighborhood celebrities doing the exact same thing.

Tortilla Flats, 767 Washington St, (212) 243-1053

Ben’s Pizza

Patsy’s. Photo by laughingsquid

This is the pizza I dream about, the stuff that makes me forget all about the worst pizzas in the world. The sauce has a sweet, salty taste and the cheese is piled on high. Ask for a pie with garlic and you’ll be unkissable for months.

To me this is event pizza, something ordered for special occasions, like The Superbowl or a Survivor finale. The pie travels well – order ahead a full pizza, pick it up in a cab and make it home in time for whatever television gets you off.

The men who work here are all business, with zero tolerance for people in line that hem and haw over decisions. Fast moves will gain you points.

Famous Ben’s Pizza, 177 Spring Street, (212) 966-449

Freeman’s

Be prepared for sticker shock: unless you’re a Friend of Bill, you’re not getting out of here for less than $50. Worse, crowds can swarm this place and I tend to arrive on the early side, around 6:30, which isn’t even close to hip.

Why? Unreal food. Start with Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels (in garlic aïoli and toast hefeweizen broth), nab a side of Sautéed Rapini with garlic & chili flakes and go crazy on the Goffle Road Farm Oven-Roasted Chicken, with grilled romaine (yes) and house-made ranch dressing.

Freeman’s Restaurant, 191 Chrystie Street, (212) 420-0012

La Mela

Little Italy enthusiasts might poo-poo this place in favor of something more high-brow – I’d give them a few fingers under the chin right back. Once a tiny space, La Mela has crept into three neighboring storefronts and remains a huge favorite for me.

There is a menu, but it should be ignored. Just say the word (“family style”) and a handful of courses will come your way until you pray for mercy. Big hunks of fresh mozzarella caprese, oodles of al dente pasta and a dessert plate that makes me squirm in my chair as I write this.

The staff is a hoot and, some nights, the place takes on the festive feel of a family restaurant in Italy – hands-over-elbows, big bottles of cheap wine, cramped quarters, families just a table away from young lovers.

Ask me about the time that I took Slipknot here.

La Mela Restaurant, 167 Mulberry Street, (212) 431-9493

Before I moved to Buenos Aires, sports didn’t matter to me. Even growing up in Louisville, KY, I was never consumed by March madness and observed with a cynical eye as my mother began following UofL basketball, wondering if pod people had taken her.

I’m starting to get it, though. If I happen to be drowsing through a game, and Argentina scores a goal I can rest assured (or not) my neighbors will wake me up with shouting, air horn blowing and the odd vuvuzela. The sidewalks are littered with confetti following each World Cup match. And I have to admit that I’m getting swept up in it.

So today I went to Plaza San Martín to catch the match between Argentina and Mexico and I’m glad I did. The crowd was great, the game was awesome (Sorry, Mexico fans.) and hours later, horns are still honking in the street. The city’s on a high, and I’m grateful to be here for it all. This has got to be the biggest party I’ve ever been to.

1.The most dramatic costume of the day by far was this Gorilla replete with a small palm tree.

2.Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…

3.…ooooooooooooooooolllllllllll!

4.The crowd was massive. Just massive.

5.Pirate of the Rio de la Plata screams, saxophone in hand.

6. This woman did not uncross her fingers for the entire game.

7.Governor Macri makes an appearance and smiles for the camera.

8.Eber Ludueña, an Argentine comedian, tops himself on the big screen.

9. A fan who has painstakingly painted his ears gives the thumbs up.

10.Dale! Dale! We score again! Goooooooooooolllllll!

11. It’s pretty much decided. Extra time’s almost off the clock.

12.A grateful fan nearly sheds tears.

13.Argentina’s won the game.

14.Magic number 10, once that of Maradona, now Messi’s, on a Boston terrier.

Community Connection

If Buenos Aires is starting to look like a really fun place to you, find even more reasons why at Matador Abroad’s Photo Essay: Studying Abroad in Buenos Aires.

Mango Pickle. Photo by f10n4

Mango Pickle (India)

Mango pickle is one of the preferred pickle dishes in India (the country that is said to have started pickling). Raw green mangos are pickled in mustard or sesame oil, and then a mixture of spices is added to create this salty and spicy pickle. Commonly found spices include turmeric, fenugreek seed, red chili powder, and mustard seed.

Lemon Pickle. Photo by dougbeckers

Lemon Pickle (Morocco)

Although the lemon pickle is very similar to the Indian mango pickle, it is almost a nightly tableside item in Morocco. It is also commonly used as an ingredient in Tajine dishes.

The flavor packs a wallop as you’re first hit by spiciness and then immediately consumed by a full and tangy lemon taste.

Gari. Photo by 00dann

Gari (Japan)

I bet you didn’t know that the ginger you use as a pallet cleanser after eating sushi is actually pickled. It’s ginger that has been soaked in a sugar and vinegar solution. With the widespread popularity of sushi, I’d say that makes Gari the second biggest pickle after the cucumber.

Gari. Photo by mtcarlson

Pickled Herring (Scandinavia)

Sure, it’s not the most appetizing sounding pickle, but it’s huge in Scandinavia. First the herring is cured in salt, then removed and added to a pickling solution that can involve various spices, like peppercorns and raw onions.

Scandinavians serve pickled herring primarily for holidays, with bread, potatoes, sour cream, and akvavit (Scandinavian schnapps).

Rodbetor. Photo by N00

Rodbetor (Scandinavia)

Another favorite in Scandinavia, Rodbetor is a colorful side dish to brighten up your bland dinner. Beets are pickled in a vinegar, salt, and sugar solution with other spices like clove. This pickle almost always includes raw onion.

Pickled Eggs. Photo by susansimon

Pickled Eggs (UK, for starters)

The eggs are first hard-boiled, the shells are removed and then the eggs are placed into a pickling brine of vinegar, salt, and spices. After a day or a few months of pickling (depending on how strong you want the flavor), pull a couple eggs out and enjoy with your favorite pint. Have an open mind – British food isn’t as bad as you’d think.

Onion? Photo by briannalehman

Cebollas Encurtidas (Ecuador)

Simple flavors prevail in South America and few are more simple than chucking an egg in some vinegar. Especially in Ecuador, where something as easy as pickled red onion is used as frequently as North Americans use ketchup on fries.

Kimchi. Photo by isaaclicious

Kimchi (Korea)

Kimchi is essential to Korean culture and is essentially pickled Chinese cabbage that is stored in big pots and left outdoors to ferment. Although there are many ways to prepare Kimchi, it’s usually very spicy and very full of flavor.

Community Connection

Interested in how the world cooks? Check out many Matador’s food articles. Fast food lovers, we’ve got you covered, from 50 of the most amazing burger joints in the world to hot dogs around the world (let alone what you can put on them).

This is what music is before we learn to be cool.

Community Connection

What’s the best crowd you’ve ever been in at a concert?

The Tone Matrix is way more exciting than it looks here.

If you watched that video, you can see how it works, and if you go to lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix, you can start making music in seconds.

You can check out the process behind the creation on André Michelle’s blog where he says, “Audio is the next big thing in Flash.” After playing with this gadget, I’m inclined to agree. There are other fun toys also available at aM laboratory. Enjoy!

Community Connection

What music do you listen to when you write? Tell us about it over at TheTravelersNotebook.

Taquería Mi Ciudad. Photo by casasroger

Taquería Mi Ciudad. That’s what the sign said.

It wasn’t in a guidebook and it wasn’t on a map, but I saw it while walking towards the Opera metro and decided to give it a shot. I’d eaten some tourist-ready, drab Mexican in Madrid before, yet this near-dive joint looked promising. In the way that only near-dive joints can.

Inside? Transformational, life-changing tacos.

OK, so maybe that’s a bit much, but that’s how the food hit me. Why? Because somehow the concept of a cheap, simple taco has become bastardized as the recipe goes around the world. These were the real thing, not a Spanish approximation of what a Taco Bell-eatin’ American would like.

There were only three filling choices as far as I was concerned; a thick, smoky Pollo Mole, a spicy/sweet Rojo with pumpkin seed and one hell of a Cochinita Pibil (a citrus-soaked pork). I’ve since had those three tacos five times, making excuses to use Madrid as a hub on trips through Spain. I have gone to surprising lengths to have their taste sensations put my buds in a sleeper hold.

Simple, amazing tacos. Photo by Sergi Depazos

The tacos are prepared before your eyes, right at the eight seat bar, inside a room that couldn't fit more than 20 people at capacity. The fillings are pulled from refrigerated Tupperware and combined with hotplate-warmed tortillas.

There's no pomp and circumstance or frilly garnish. Just damned tasty, slapped-together food made from real Mexican recipes.

The guys who work here are happy and charming, almost bashful that I could love their food enough to come back for it twice. They definitely don't get many English speakers. I've never seen the place without at least ten people inside, mostly local Spanish foodies who know what great Mexican food tastes like.

At €1.50 a taco, it's among Madrid’s best bargains. The €5 margaritas are freshly prepared and not from a mix – they rival the food in authenticity.

Taquería Mi Ciudad
34 608 621 096
Calle de las Fuentes 11
Madrid, Spain

Community Connection

Tom Gates travels and eats. He’s managed to find authentic italian food in Bangkok and is rather opinionated about pizza . He has a history of binge eating, as documented in pieces about Berlin and Buenos Aires.