Food 911

The UK is notorious for bad food.  So far, I'd have to agree with that stereotype.  The first weekend that I was in the city, I had two very lovely (and delicious) meals with Pat and Larry.  On a fluke, we found this delicious, and authentic tasting Italian food place just a few blocks from Princes St (I had cabonara and lentil soup).  The next day, we ate at  a hearty pub meal (I had the fish and chips...duh).  Unfortunately since then, my food experience with food has been fairly depressing (much like the weather, I might add).  While I was staying at Pollock Halls, I was eating whatever I could find in a grocery store, which was usually yogurt, some kind of lunch meat, and crisps.  I had the unfortunate experience of trying orange flavored raisins, yuck!  Other failures: Italian restaurant on High St., which was comparable to the Olive Garden (which for most people aka people with good taste, is a bad thing), over priced and under whelming "Thai" food, and my favorite, an amalgam of mystery meat, claiming to be a kebab (see below)

 Even though I've been in my flat for 5 days now, I still haven't managed to cook anything besides pasta with butter and cheese.  The grocery stores are lacking in good looking fresh produce, and the meat is hella sketchy.  It's also quite an arduous task carrying groceries back to the flat, meaning I can only get a little of what I actually need at once (it took my over 40 min and all my strength to haul my slow cooker back).  Luckily yesterday I found an Indian market that has a butcher, and I was able to procure some fresh chicken and beef, though the guy behind the counter gave me a rude look when I asked for "half a pound"...opps.  So today, I finally get to cook my first balanced (and hopefully successful) meal at home, after I stop by the market and pick up a few more things.  Also, thanks to Anne, I have a list of places I want to try.  So on the food front, things are looking brighter.  Wish me luck on my stew!