80's Desserts

When I was in the 3rd or 4th year at school (Year 9 and 10 in today's language) the teaching unions were slightly disgruntled about how the government of the day was treating their terms and conditions. This led to the inevitable industrial action involving strikes and work to rule. The work to rule meant that the teachers would not supervise any students during the lunchtime. For my school this led to all the students being forced to leave the premises for the entire lunchtime. 

My school was not small, about 1600 students. We all left the school and headed towards town. This was great. I went to school in a seaside town and if you were quick enough you could make it to the beach and the amusements. Most of us went to the chippy and hung out on benches around the town centre.


Occasionally we would visit the local burger restaurant. This was before the golden arches, which on it's arrival seemed to out compete the restaurant in question. It was an interesting establishment as it did burger and chips on china plates with knives and forks, whilst if I recall correctly also serving classic gammon steaks with pineapple - even then it seemed a little old faishioned. However, their were two amazing things on the desert menu that made it worthwhile visiting.

The first was a black forest sundae; chocolate and vanilla ice cream, cream and cherry sauce. Maybe this is where my love of cherries came from. The second was described as decadent on the menu and is pure genius. It was called a Brown Derby (I am still uncertain if it is pronounced dar-bie or der-bie). It is composed of a warm doughnut topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and nuts - simple but delicious. Even better very easy to replicate at home.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessicawashereandthere/3532147234/

Last night I paid homage to what I thought was a long forgotten dessert by taking the ingredients to a party and constructing them into the brown derby. Today I found out that some of these restaurants still exist and in fact one of them is only 10 miles from where I live. What is more, 25 years on both the brown derby and the black forest sundae are still on the menu.

Come to think of it another great 80's dessert that is still served in roadside restaurants is also a great favourite of mine. I save this for Shrove Tuesday; the Jubilee Pancake - a warm pancake filled with vanilla ice cream, cherries and cherry sauce. Delicious and just the thing after an Olympic breakfast.

http://www.insearchofheston.com/tag/big-chef/
 
A road trip to seek out these desserts is definitely needed this summer. Care to join me?

Comments

  1. Anonymous21 July 2012 at 20:37

    Wimpy is the restaurant to which you refer I do believe. Loved it there! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bones21 July 2012 at 21:52

    We are learning a lot about Ed's childhood :0))

    ReplyDelete

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