Carvery Lunch

play it again · 15-11-2015 1:43pm

foxy farmer wrote: »

Give me carvery food any day. No comparison to salads, sandwiches, wraps, paninis or takeaways. I dont want food brought out as works of art either. Big chips stacked in 2x2 formation and squiggles of sauce around the plate. Pretentious shoite. I want to eat it not admire it.
Wonder what OP is having today and where?

Nothing worse than going into a place that serves chip in a small stainless steel bucket and you get the dinner on a bread board or a piece of roof slate , ffs just put it on a plate and horse it out to me

Kiwi in IE · 15-11-2015 1:45pm

Eugene Norman wrote: »

But isn't that because you are a misinformed snob?

The only carvery I eat at, close to work, will cook fish to order, It's not on the front of house. That's the only way to cook fish but the other stuff goes fast enough that it doesn't matter.

Why do you only eat at that carvery when you won't eat at others? Is it because you are also a snob? Or is it just that you fully agree that cook to order food is far more palatable than carvery?

I have nothing against beef/ham/turkey etc, it's just that I can cook, and so when I cook such things at home they, without exception, taste 100% better than anything I have ever been served in a carvery. I don't like paying for food in restaurants that I could cook far better myself.

Firefox11 · 15-11-2015 1:54pm

LorMal wrote: »

Is this a tradition or something? I honestly never heard of going to a carvery for Sunday lunch. Is this very popular? Does it only happen in some areas of the country?
Pubs on a Sunday - grim and depressing.

Most of the pubs/restaurants around me are packed out at Sunday lunchtime.

Diamond Doll · 15-11-2015 1:56pm

play it again wrote: »

Nothing worse than going into a place that serves chip in a small stainless steel bucket and you get the dinner on a bread board or a piece of roof slate , ffs just put it on a plate and horse it out to me

Join the movement!

https://www.facebook.com/WeWantPlates/?fref=ts

OldMrBrennan83 · 15-11-2015 1:58pm

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Elessar · 15-11-2015 2:10pm

Love a good carvey OP! Thanks for the reminder - there's a lovely one in Swords I think I'll head down to this afternoon! Tasty food, fresh and nutritional. Can't beat it.

Kiwi in IE · 15-11-2015 2:47pm

Gone quiet in this thread! Must be because it's that time when carvery defenders are lining up with tray in hand, waiting for the dried out meat and overcooked vege to be chucked from the trough onto their plate.

OldMrBrennan83 · 15-11-2015 2:50pm

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Dubl07 · 15-11-2015 3:06pm

One of the bonuses of carvery eating is that most places offer a small portion at a reduced price. It's a boon for the elderly or the less voracious. I love to cook and enjoy 'fine' dining but a good carvery provides an excellent meal.

meeeeh · 15-11-2015 3:24pm

I can't say I am a fan. However we landed once in one just when they started serving and I had the nicest roast beef I ever had in any restaurant. Frankly if I ever want a decent roast I make it myself. I can't say there is much difference between roast on Sunday menu in a restaurant or carvery. You tend to get a piece of dried out meat that resembles saw dust and potatoes or veg that are kept warm somewhere for hours. In that regard snobbery about carvery food is completely unjustified.

harry Bailey esq · 15-11-2015 3:31pm

I f*ckin love a nice carvery,as someone already said, it needs to be busy.Its also a great excuse for a midweek, early afternoon drinking session, under the pretense of grabbing a 'quick bite'

Pherekydes · 15-11-2015 3:55pm

Kiwi in IE wrote: »

I like it when people get defensive of their carveries!

I like it when people refer to other people's dinners as slop.

SEPT 23 1989 · 15-11-2015 4:08pm

Dubl07 wrote: »

One of the bonuses of carvery eating is that most places offer a small portion at a reduced price. It's a boon for the elderly or the less voracious. I love to cook and enjoy 'fine' dining but a good carvery provides an excellent meal.

Always have a half portion if I'm having many pints full portion leaves no room for anything else

The Sidewards Man · 15-11-2015 4:10pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Always have a half portion if I'm having many pints full portion leaves no room for anything else

You live the dream, horsing back pints of porter and a half carvery.

tayto lover · 15-11-2015 4:12pm

Stuffing and more stuffing. Lash it on there please.

GMSA · 15-11-2015 4:13pm

The Sidewards Man wrote: »

You live the dream, horsing back pints of porter and a half carvery.

Are you after your 4 course feed?

The Sidewards Man · 15-11-2015 4:17pm

GMSA wrote: »

Are you after your 4 course feed?

I am having it later on.

Kiwi in IE · 15-11-2015 4:28pm

Pherekydes wrote: »

I like it when people refer to other people's dinners as slop.

I like it when people think overcooked slop that they must line up for is a 'lovely dinner' and are willing to pay for it in a restaurant.

Hammer89 · 15-11-2015 4:29pm

Kiwi in IE wrote: »

Gone quiet in this thread! Must be because it's that time when carvery defenders are lining up with tray in hand, waiting for the dried out meat and overcooked vege to be chucked from the trough onto their plate.

You seem way too angry about people eating carveries.

tayto lover · 15-11-2015 4:29pm

Kiwi in IE wrote: »

I like it when people think overcooked slop is a 'lovely dinner' and are willing to pay for it in a restaurant.

I love the burnt bits of the joint.

To Elland Back · 15-11-2015 4:39pm

The food they serve at carveries is the type of food I eat at home quite often, only I do it better (and I'm no chef). When I go out to eat, I choose food I like but not good enough to cook myself

Copa Mundial · 15-11-2015 4:56pm

I can never understand people turning their noses up at a carvery. The one in our local hotel is always nicely done, gives you a proper good feed for what you pay too.

I'd take a good carvery over the alternative!

OldMrBrennan83 · 15-11-2015 4:57pm

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Kiwi in IE · 15-11-2015 5:05pm

Patww79 wrote: »

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You are worried and creeped out because I think you have ****e taste in food?

SEPT 23 1989 · 15-11-2015 5:12pm

Kiwi in IE wrote: »

You are worried and creeped out because I think you have ****e taste in food?

And what do they serve up in the Ivory tower?

OldMrBrennan83 · 15-11-2015 5:16pm

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Fred Swanson · 15-11-2015 5:19pm

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Kiwi in IE · 15-11-2015 5:23pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

And what do they serve up in the Ivory tower?

Haha I love this attitude that anything that is not dry, overcooked meat, overboiled vege and lots and lots of potato is 'posh' food. It goes a long way to explain why the standard of food outside of larger, urban, more multicultural areas is generally so rubbish (with the very rare exception).

And I surely don't live in an 'Ivory tower', I am a mere nurse, therefore I see hospital food every day so it's not something I want to be lining up for in a restaurant on my days off.

Kiwi in IE · 15-11-2015 5:23pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Exactly!

suicide_circus · 15-11-2015 5:45pm

I would pay handsomely of a carvery right now. Proper corned beef, shpuds, brown gravy....

awec · 15-11-2015 5:55pm

I feel sorry for chefs who have to make carvery. It must be pretty demeaning being a qualified chef but having to cook a mass produced roast dinner.

Imagine you were Lewis Hamilton but instead of driving in the F1 you had to drive the number 47 bus. That's how I imagine those chefs feel.

SEPT 23 1989 · 15-11-2015 5:57pm

awec wrote: »

I feel sorry for chefs who have to make carvery. It must be pretty demeaning being a qualified chef but having to cook a mass produced roast dinner.

Imagine you were Lewis Hamilton but instead of driving in the F1 you had to drive the number 47 bus. That's how I imagine those chefs feel.

They are kings amongst men

Clive Bisquette · 15-11-2015 6:03pm

awec wrote: »

I feel sorry for chefs who have to make carvery. It must be pretty demeaning being a qualified chef but having to cook a mass produced roast dinner.

Imagine you were Lewis Hamilton but instead of driving in the F1 you had to drive the number 47 bus. That's how I imagine those chefs feel.

Every "Chef" is not Lewis Hamilton my friend...why is it "demeaning"....you are seriously out of order here ...the person who cooks quality food and gives good value in a carvery is doing a good job and should be recognised.

Nothing at all "demeaning" about that.

OldMrBrennan83 · 15-11-2015 6:07pm

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The Sidewards Man · 15-11-2015 6:09pm

Clive Bisquette wrote: »

Every "Chef" is not Lewis Hamilton my friend...why is it "demeaning"....you are seriously out of order here ...the person who cooks quality food and gives good value in a carvery is doing a good job and should be recognised.

Nothing at all "demeaning" about that.

Are you a carvery chef?

awec · 15-11-2015 6:11pm

Clive Bisquette wrote: »

Every "Chef" is not Lewis Hamilton my friend...why is it "demeaning"....you are seriously out of order here ...the person who cooks quality food and gives good value in a carvery is doing a good job and should be recognised.

Nothing at all "demeaning" about that.

You don't go through culinary school to end up cooking carvery. It's a real shame.

GMSA · 15-11-2015 6:17pm

Heres my take on eating as i see it.
Carvery is quick and what you see is what you get. Price reasonable portion size set.
Restaurant is slow and anything is possible within the menu description. Cant see final product till it appears. Too much interference by staff. Portion size is set. Cooking times can be preferred for steaks etc. Prices can be expensive.
Home cooked takes ages laborious but portion size cooking and serving options and ingredients are under your control.

15-11-2015 6:21pm

Kiwi in IE wrote: »

Haha I love this attitude that anything that is not dry, overcooked meat, overboiled vege and lots and lots of potato is 'posh' food. It goes a long way to explain why the standard of food outside of larger, urban, more multicultural areas is generally so rubbish (with the very rare exception).

And I surely don't live in an 'Ivory tower', I am a mere nurse, therefore I see hospital food every day so it's not something I want to be lining up for in a restaurant on my days off.

You don't appear to realise that a lot of people really like carvery and find it very tasty. They don't want anything more. You make it sound like they are only having it as they lack choice.

I go out specifically looking for carvery at times, there are times I don't want a sit down and order meal meal or what not. I want a big pile of roast beef, lashings of gravy, two or three different types of spuds and some veg. The more the better, If I'm not struggling to walk after I hadn't enough.

It's quick and easy and you get very well fed for the money you pay.

Clive Bisquette · 15-11-2015 6:22pm

The Sidewards Man wrote: »

Are you a carvery chef?

No Sir ..I am not.

Optimalprimerib · 15-11-2015 6:28pm

It all depends on the roasties. ones you can play rounders with= a bad carvery. (Which 9 out of 10 are)

OldMrBrennan83 · 15-11-2015 6:39pm

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Riverireland · 15-11-2015 6:48pm

I like a carvery every few months. If the don't do cabbage and Yorkshire puds it's a lazy carvery. Plenty of them around.

Optimalprimerib · 15-11-2015 6:49pm

Patww79 wrote: »

Now this is true, and it's normally the one big letdown for me. They tend to be very poor.

I think the main reason for this is that they are frozen and not basted in the meat juices.

One thing about carveries is that no matter how much food you have, you will be hungry for another dinner 2 hours later.

meeeeh · 15-11-2015 6:59pm

awec wrote: »

You don't go through culinary school to end up cooking carvery. It's a real shame.

That's nonsense. You really think each chef is dreaming of long hours, stressful environment, not being at home in the evenings? There my be some who go to culinary school thinking they will be doing that and then realize that they don't see their families and would prefer less stressful work.

harry Bailey esq · 15-11-2015 7:27pm

A large McDonald's meal is almost 9quid.The most a carvery will set you back €11 at most,and you get comfortable seating and cutlery. I know what i prefer to spend my money on.Carvery is fast food without being fast food

Fred Swanson · 15-11-2015 7:30pm

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Riverireland · 15-11-2015 7:32pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

Grand if you like slop.

I prefer to sit down with a menu and choose what I want and have it brought to me.
I doubt any carverys do fish in any event.

There would always be a fish option, often salmon or some sort of cod, in case you ever get adventurous ðŸ˜Š

Yamanoto · 15-11-2015 7:34pm

People who just aren't competent home cooks and / or folks whose mother's weren't great cooks themselves tend to be the ones who get giddy at the thought of a carvery in my experience.

Grey roast beef with all the succulence of a carpet tile & veg that's been industrially steam blasted for 6 hours constitutes the norm rather than the exception across Ireland.

Dr.Robotnik · 15-11-2015 7:40pm

The Sidewards Man wrote: »

So tomorrow is the day for the old carvery, pigs slurping at troughs in my opinion. Will have a four course meal myself tomorrow and for those who choose to eat that muck why?

Theres only enough room for one Aongus Von Bismark around here OP! :P

Bulbous Salutation · 15-11-2015 7:44pm

The vast vast majority of pubs who serve a carvery are getting supplied by one of three or four wholesale suppliers. They order off a laminated menu and the prepared joints of meat, vegetables and potatoes are delivered by a friendly man in a big white van. They heat it up and serve it up. The margins are very healthy on it. No real cheffing required. The gravy makes it tasty, and does so because there's enough salt and saturated fat in it to butter and pickle a man. It's fast food.

It's the same with people suggesting that one local Chinese is better than another. Again, pretty much all the chinese places in the country with those similar looking menus are getting their goods delivered pretty much good for reheating. The food is prepared in a big factory outside Belfast. Again, industrialised fast food.

Carvery Lunch

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