... to ask for ketchup in a gastropub?

[domesticslattern]

Had fish and chips this lunchtime in posh North London gastropub. Politely asked for ketchup and the waiter squirmed and said, "I'm really sorry, but we don't have any. The owner won't allow us to serve it."

Apparently people ask for it all the time, and sometimes even nip next door to the supermarket to buy their own when they discover it is outlawed. I mean, wtf? Has the world gone mad? Why do we go to these places?

[ilovemydog]

I have precious food....

[Twiglett]

we?

[WideWebWitch]

oh ffs they need to get over themselves. It's CHIPS.

[ilovemydog]

hate - meant, i hate precious food

[WideWebWitch]

Owner is a wanker if he sells chips and refuses ketchup
it's not le gavroche presumably

[domesticslattern]

I'd mind less if it wasn't my first meal out without PFB, born 8 months ago. I'd been looking forward to it all week. Next time I think I'll stick to the local chippy.

[moondog]

Nowt wrong with ketchup.
Wot a twat.
Mind you,I steer clear of anywhere calling itself a 'gastropub'.

[domesticslattern]

No, not Le Gavroche. (I wish).

[Dragonbutter]

what's a gastropub?
presumably not just a pub that sells food.
how do you know if you're in one?

[JonahTakalua]

write and tell them that you won't be frequenting this establishment again, as the owner clearly has no concept of customer care, and perhaps his lack of vision is down to the fact that his head is so far up his own arse?

[domesticslattern]

Dragonbutter: I think you can tell if you're in a gastropub by the prices on the menu, and the art on the walls. Watercolours of foxes and hounds= not a gastropub. Wanky arty pictures of scrawny naked women= gastropub. Also, if you look out of the window and see Islington= gastropub. Oh, and the presence/ absence of ketchup obviously.

[Dragonbutter]

maybe you should have asked for salsa

[moondog]

Also mismatched jumble sale chairs and uppity waiting on staff always in 'gastropubs'.

[WideWebWitch]

lol at if you look out of the window and you're in islington

[domesticslattern]

They gave us aïoli.

[WideWebWitch]

I love aoili

[JuneBugJen]

can you imagine if you had asked for Daddy's sauce? The hissy fit would have been heard throughout Upper Street.

[WideWebWitch]

sorry for poor spelling of aioli

[LackaDAISYcal]

i thought the whole ethos of gastropubs were updated versions of modern classics.

surely they should be making their own gastro-ketchup to do with the gastro fish and chips?

[moondog]

Well spotted WWW.
Was menu artfully scrawled on blackboard?
Melin Tregwynt cushions?
Freesias in Ricard flasks?

[TheSmallClanger]

There are some really nice organic ketchups out there, if they want to be precious. They're missing a trick.
Fish and chips are supposed to be served with ketchup.

[thomsc]

Dragonbutter: Rock salt and black pepper in little saucers is the biggest clue.

[thomsc]

hell, they could have made their own ketchup and charged the usual arm and a leg for it.

[PuppyMonkey]

What was the story on vinegar then?

[harpomarx]

I assume the chips were 'pan fried' non?