Spectator N0 2656 - "A La Carte" By Lavatch

[Matakari]

Good evening, an interesting challenge from Lavatch this week! I enjoyed the French aspect of it, but am stuck on one of the clues and a few of the Unclueds for which I seek some help. Many thanks in advance !

35a  Family members in US city (8) : ?ATE?S?N   ( PATERSON )

38a  AN?MES    ( ANIMES )

40a   PA?NCH   ( PAINCH/PAUNCH )

8d     GLEN?

21d    R?NGE?S      ( RANGERS )

26d    ST?R?ESS     ( STARLESS )

36D    ??ICE            ( ON ICE )

[scorpiojo]

35 Pater and son are "family members"; Paterson is a US city.

[scorpiojo]

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk//Question1870768.html

[scorpiojo]

^ sorry, link not working.

Matakari, have you tried using the search box for previous threads?

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, I'm flabbergasted - I thought  every one of the items in the unclued entries would jump out at you! Isn't that the main 'French aspect'?

[gourami67]

A nice one this week from Lavatch which took me until Sunday  to solve unlike last week's > i hour

[Neveracrossword]

Yes, Gourami, I too really enjoyed this one - it was definitely more of a challenge (and more fun too).

Matakari, ca va?...

[Matakari]

Good morning, NACW, this Caribbean heat wave must be scorching my brain again! I expected to see the French connection in a flash, but am still in a daze with those for which I requested guidance. Un grand merci d'avance!

[JJ109]

35, 38, 21, 26, 36 all correct

8d Glens (an S on the end to fit the theme)

40a Painch (to fit the theme)

A La Carte = on the map

Look at parts of each of the unclueds, and not the full unclued answer. There is no link between the full answers but there is a link to parts of the answers 

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, of the 750+ Speccie puzzles you've tackled, this one had the most Matakari-oriented theme yet!  (I still don't understand your 'I enjoyed the French aspect' comment - did it just  mean that you liked the title?)

JJ, I have a different answer for 40 A, and mine definitely fits the theme...

[Matakari]

Many thanks, JJ109, for elucidating Lavatch's technique! It was a veritable tour de force!

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, glad you have finally made it over the finishing line.  I thought the preamble was very good and fair, containing enough information to get to the theme - a shame you didn't get the satisfaction of being on your own territory, literally! C'est la vie....

PS There are extra words in every single clue in this week's EV, but don't let that put you off- it too was an interesting challenge.

[JJ109]

NAC - you will be right - My answer was in the East and the correct answer should be in the west!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, JJ - I forgot that I'd checked them off geographically too!

[scorpiojo]

You're welcome

[Neveracrossword]

Scorpiojo, it seems a while since you last wore the cloak (I think I've donned it on a few recent outings!)

[Matakari]

Yes, NACW, my first reaction, on looking at the title, was to find elements relating to food, cuisine, menu, etc...Now, should I assume that PAINCH for 40a is incorrect? On another note, I think I'll eventually have a glance at this week's EV, though I believe The Crossword Centre offering is more Matakari-friendly.

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, I think you must have overlooked that JJ agreed that my 40 A (your second suggestion) worked, the other didn't.  Your enjoyment of the French aspect seemed a little premature if your thoughts led you to a complete dead-end (cul-de-sac).

PS As you missed my 40 A comment, maybe you also missed Scorpiojo's help yesterday evening?

[Neveracrossword]

PS, Matakari, good luck with the CC puzzle. I thought the last one would have been great for you... and it was anything but!

[scorpiojo]

Thank you, NAC.

[Neveracrossword]

Scorpiojo, you're very welcome.