Where In The UK Should You Actually Live?

[Gups]

My Argentine friend said there are only two restaurants in Manchester. I would not want to live there.

Manchester has long been notorius lack of good quality restaurants. I don't think there's a single Michelin star in the city. It's improved recently thought with 3-4 well-reviewed high quality openings.

[Duque de Bragança]

I actually think it wouldn't be a bad idea to make Manchester the capital. One of the problems in the UK right now is that it's so London-centric, what with it being the main political, financial and cultural capital of the country, which is driving x10 as much investment into it as any other city. Moving the capital to Manchester would at least remove the political aspect from London, create lots of new jobs and reinvigorate the economy in the North, and actually make HS2 worthwhile.

The UK has a very good geography for high-speed rail, better than France for that matter. It's not like it needs as many lines as France which is bigger and not as densely populated. It needs one north of London to Birmingham, then branching out to Manchester and Liverpool to the NW, as well as Leeds and York to the NE. Newcastle will have to wait a bit and linking Scotland might be not worthwile.

So Manchester capital or not is irrelevant. It does not make sense why they are waiting for so long, NIMBY-ism does not explain it nor the privatisation.

[Capetan Mihali]

I don't think that's true. Many parts of the us don't even say gyro.

Well I can say for sure in Texas that is something you get a Greek restaurant and it is called a Gyro.  I was with Yi on this one.  Also when people were saying 'kebab' I was also thinking shish kebab.  Maybe he is speaking for us here in flyover America.

The other issue is the pronunciation:  Do you say "jye-ro"; "yee-ro"; or something else?  I think I unconsciously alternate depending on how old-country (Greek, Lebanese, etc.) the person I'm talking to is, and also say "jee-ro" which is something in the middle.

[Valmy]

The other issue is the pronunciation:  Do you say "jye-ro"; "yee-ro"; or something else?  I think I unconsciously alternate depending on how old-country (Greek, Lebanese, etc.) the person I'm talking to is, and also say "jee-ro" which is something in the middle.

I have heard all three heh.  I say 'jee-ro' even though I am pretty sure that is wrong.

[Sheilbh]

All the Arab food shops call it diner here as well. Though they're more likely to have shwarma as well, which is what I thought gyro was.

[Valmy]

All the Arab food shops call it diner here as well. Though they're more likely to have shwarma as well, which is what I thought gyro was.

I think Gyro is used for both.

[Barrister]

The sandwich in question is typically sold as a "donair" here in Alberta (or gyro at a specifically Greek joint).

[Queequeg]

So fucking hungry.

[DontSayBanana]

I think Gyro is used for both.

http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/7695/what-is-the-difference-between-shawarma-and-gyros

It's another case of traditional food being changed to suit American palates; if you get them from your average street vendor, it's all about quick and cheap, so the difference is largely who's making it.  You'd need to go to a serious Greek or Mediterranean restaurant to really get dishes that are different from each other, since street vendors are likely to use the same cold tray selections of lettuce, tomato, and onion.  Some shawarma vendors may even use tzatziki, because it's quick and cheap to make (a passable tzatziki can just be plain yogurt, cucumbers, and dill).

[Ed Anger]

So fucking hungry.

Go back to eating your shit Chicago food.

[Valmy]

Gyros are not that traditional.  Like Constantine and Mehmet would not have enjoyed a Doner/Gyro before the fall of Constantinople I don't think.

Hey look what Wiki says http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyro_(food) :

Along with the similar Middle Eastern shawarma and Mexican tacos al pastor, gyros is derived from the Turkish doner kebab, which was invented in Bursa in the 19th century. There are several stories regarding the origins of gyros in Greece; despite these backformations the first documented use of "gyro" takes place in the United States

No wonder we use 'gyro' it is the proper American name for it.

[DontSayBanana]

No wonder we use 'gyro' it is the proper American name for it.

Yeah, it's just a shame nobody can agree on how to pronounce it: S and I were watching a contest show on food network, and within five minutes, we heard different people in the same conversation say "GEE-roe," "GUY-roe," "JEE-roe," "JAI-roe," and "YEE-roe" (which is the one I'd always been led to believe was the "correct" pronunciation).

[garbon]

No wonder we use 'gyro' it is the proper American name for it.

Yeah, it's just a shame nobody can agree on how to pronounce it: S and I were watching a contest show on food network, and within five minutes, we heard different people in the same conversation say "GEE-roe," "GUY-roe," "JEE-roe," "JAI-roe," and "YEE-roe" (which is the one I'd always been led to believe was the "correct" pronunciation).

Seems relatively unimportant though.

[DontSayBanana]

Seems relatively unimportant though.

It is.  I never claimed it was anything more than a minor annoyance.  Although, come to the South Jersey shore and say anything other than "JAI-roe," and you will be laughed out of at least one restaurant.

[Maximus]

Belfast.  Understood very few questions.

Same