tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18870658879863527942012-02-15T21:56:38.469ZFood, drink and producers in (mostly) the North WestSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.comBlogger651100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-54998704481575948632012-02-12T15:10:00.000Z2012-02-12T15:10:41.962Z

Without a good stock we’d be nowhere in the kitchen; a proper stock adds body, depth and flavouring, it is the cornerstone to many a recipe. Where would we be without a stock? No gravies, no risottos, no consommes... In the past, nothing was wasted in the kitchen – huge pots bubbled up on the stove with all the trimmings  popped in to create the basis of dishes we know and love; lob scouse,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-73082634364600629932012-02-09T19:23:00.000Z2012-02-09T19:23:28.283Z

Cookery courses - something I've always wanted to do, yet something I've never attempted. Paying £90 plus for (sometimes as little as) a half day with ten other people always seems a little over priced, just to learn a skill I already have or will never use - why learn to temper chocolate when I'll go to a chocolatier if I want something exquisite; I have no want to go into the chocolate business

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-90634541998321075432012-02-02T22:32:00.001Z2012-02-09T11:54:32.592Z

The first cuisine I feel in love with was French. At the age of 11 I stayed away from home for the first time, alone in Kent, at the house of my great aunt Peggy (very bohemian; she’s now 90 and has a 60 year old boyfriend) who took me to London and to a little back street restaurant with a menu written in nothing but French and a stereo that played nothing but Piaf. The next year we took the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com1Manchester M4 1PN, UK53.482847 -2.23791670000002853.4825505 -2.238587700000028 53.4831435 -2.237245700000028tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-12360655153272080112012-01-26T12:36:00.000Z2012-01-26T12:36:07.355Z

Food and wine, wine and food - always a great combination and even better when it's with friends. Last week's Join Us for Supper at the North Star Deli in Chorlton was a a great catch up with chef Deanna Thomas and a lovely bunch of usual blogging faces, plus the added bonus of some new ones thrown in too. North Star Deli - with thanks to Foodographic.com The premise of the night is usually; go

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester M21 0SD, UK53.4426947 -2.27191179999999853.4424302 -2.272544799999998 53.4429592 -2.271278799999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-38309257033387030272012-01-21T17:33:00.001Z2012-01-21T17:34:26.365Z

Small, high street restaurants can be a gamble; much loved by regulars they never have to change the menu, busy because they're convenient but that's all they have going for them, or ghostly vestiges hanging on with dated curtains and dead flies on the windowsills. Grenache in Walkden is a little high street affair; sitting off the main street in a quiet residential area, it's not much to look

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com3M28 3JE, UK53.5231061 -2.399640299999987353.5226051 -2.400598799999987 53.5236071 -2.3986817999999874tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-88705494358376659992012-01-11T20:58:00.003Z2012-01-20T12:50:10.053Z

As an avid eater I'm forever hunting out new places to eat, being thrown new concepts by restaurateurs desperate to find the next big thing and picking my way through cuisines like a traveller in a Lonely Planet guide. Sometimes, you need something familiar. Somewhere you know, somewhere with no nasty surprises and somewhere that delivers consistently good food. For my first few years in

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com3Manchester M4 1HQ, UK53.4850354 -2.23581909999995853.4847114 -2.236607599999958 53.4853594 -2.235030599999958tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-13463461566191122522012-01-08T17:55:00.002Z2012-01-20T12:52:14.156Z

Eating in a hotel is always an uneasy business; are there certain tables reserved for guests only, will you trip over baggage in the hallway and will the menu try and encompass every taste for the people stopping there? Luckily Clarence House Country Hotel and Restaurant, has addressed the problem and feels very much more restaurant than hotel. Yes, the name includes the word hotel and when you

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria LA15 8BQ, UK54.15715969999999 -3.18779949999998354.156764199999984 -3.188679999999983 54.15755519999999 -3.1869189999999827tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-34925351773521970202011-12-21T13:19:00.001Z2011-12-22T09:22:17.311Z

Operating a strict dietary policy of organic or free range meat and dairy, I often find myself at a culinary loss. Large items aren’t a problem – free range chicken is available at the supermarket, lamb is free range and anything else I can source from the network of local-ish butchers I have built up. The questions is, where do you get free-range chicken livers for pate? What if I want to make

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-8748589579150888992011-12-15T20:12:00.000Z2011-12-15T20:12:06.413Z

Manchester’s Chinatown offers avenues for culinary exploration and sensory stimulation to visitors and Manchester’s large Chinese population alike. One of the largest Chinatowns outside China, it inhabits a distinct area just off the city centre and is vibrantly spread over four streets. Chinatown boasts a beautifully ornate arch, bustling Chinese supermarkets and a phalanx of restaurants to

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com3Manchester M1 4GU, UK53.4779716 -2.239727600000037553.4777886 -2.2400281000000373 53.478154599999996 -2.2394271000000376tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-10235850788150444102011-12-09T12:46:00.000Z2011-12-09T12:46:27.543Z

I’m in fear of shocking you readers, but there’s something to be said about the North West’s dining scene; if you only eat in the cities because you 'know' you're guaranteed the best food, then you're getting a raw deal - the best food, the best service and the best prices are all found outside town. I’m going to propose a theory; no matter the quality, a city restaurant it is always guaranteed

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com2Turton, Blackburn with Darwen BL7 0EW, UK53.6371522 -2.40442350000000753.636669700000006 -2.405488000000007 53.6376347 -2.403359000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-5151168310497999592011-12-05T20:37:00.000Z2011-12-05T20:37:47.653Z

There's something of celebrity about Nutters, a whiff of expectation and an air of grandeur - it does help that Nutters is set in a eighteenth century manor house in rolling grounds, approached by a long drive, with a polished and warm welcome from Nutter Snr himself upon arrival. Nutter's - with thanks to UK Parties Seated in the newly refurbished bar area we were served a selection of canapes

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Rochdale OL12 7TT, UK53.63191089999999 -2.23269129999994253.63060439999999 -2.236922299999942 53.633217399999985 -2.2284602999999423tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-37143368645471561032011-12-01T17:39:00.000Z2011-12-01T17:39:14.476Z

It's good to support your local shops and indeed I try to. I have a local butcher and he's very good for your standard fare; the meat's well hung, the sausages are made by the butchers themselves, they're friendly and the meat's local. Sounds perfect you might think, but there's one big snag; when asking for free range chicken, game, mutton or anything a bit, well, different I get the following:

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester M21 9AQ, UK53.4429312 -2.27849230000003953.4422412 -2.279367800000039 53.443621199999995 -2.277616800000039tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-85152909989799242402011-11-24T22:10:00.000Z2011-11-24T22:10:45.821Z

I’m not a lover of veg boxes. As I’m a Guardian reading, left leaning Liberal it may come as a bit of a shock to you, but I find there’s either too much trouble with delivery (I don’t have somewhere or someone to leave it with), there’s too much repetition of produce, there’s far too much produce that’s not from the UK – even when it’s in season, or that the produce is a bit ropey. I may be

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-61086830873953943682011-11-23T20:59:00.003Z2011-12-01T15:01:34.032Z

The best things in life are free, good things come to those who wait, patience is a virtue and other such adages litter our collective linguistics; phrases that have sprung up over time to impart useful information or just to quell over excitement in small children. Maybe over time another turn of phrase will spring up in relation to Manchester’s ethnic dining scene; the grottier the better. In

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com1Manchester M4 6BG, UK53.4869674 -2.22675739999999753.4855564 -2.230037399999997 53.488378399999995 -2.2234773999999966tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-21204862324986795902011-11-15T22:38:00.000Z2011-11-15T22:38:49.139Z

Situated in the middle of Burton Road, which is West Didsbury's equivalent of a high street, The Rose Garden shines out as a paean to modernity and minimalism. Located in an area overloaded with faux vintage, twee cupcake shops and folksy frontages, the clean lines and stark white interior of The Rose Garden make a refreshing change. The Rose Garden exterior - with thanks to Deanna Thomas and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester M20 2LW, UK53.4264064 -2.243274599999949753.4243369 -2.2457300999999497 53.428475899999995 -2.2408190999999498tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-81166846923156590142011-11-02T13:03:00.001Z2011-11-02T13:13:22.734Z

Located in Jodrell Bank's new visitor centre, with excellent views across to the impressive Lovell radio telescope; the Planet Pavilion Cafe is the latest outpost of the Modern Caterer, a small company headed up by award winning chef Peter Booth, that has sustainability and seasonality as its core. The Modern Caterer at The Planet Pavilion - with thanks to Relish Publications Dominated by the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Lower Withington, Macclesfield, Cheshire East, UK53.2339182 -2.303919700000051353.2072357 -2.332951200000051 53.2606007 -2.2748882000000514tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-50079160300721208782011-10-07T20:43:00.001+01:002011-11-01T15:28:33.478Z

When we moved out of the city centre to the 'provinces' a couple of years ago it was to the mouths agape of our peers; where would we socialise? Where would we eat out? Contrary to their belief it hasn't been an uphill struggle, we've found good places to eat - albeit we rely mostly on upmarket pubs rather than fine dining; but Manchester's restaurant scene wasn't that good for it to be such a

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com2Blackrod, Bolton BL6 5LW, UK53.5925115 -2.594873799999959453.591124 -2.5965297999999595 53.593899 -2.5932177999999593tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-91218119676923073492011-10-04T16:54:00.001+01:002011-10-04T16:55:33.025+01:00

There's nothing more rewarding after a long walk across the moors than a good pint supped in cosy, comfortable surroundings. Certainly the Blundell Arms in Horwich, part of the Chef and Brewer chain, delivers on that front. It's close to the moors, has a roaring fire and there's plenty of exposed wood and warm colours to cosset you from the bleak expanses of heather and rocks that splay out

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-91879696473058932602011-09-30T08:35:00.001+01:002011-10-17T10:11:38.999+01:00

Another month, another excuse to meet up with the lovely ladies of Manchester's clandestine cake club and another excuse to eat cake because "it's good to try other people's recipes in the aid of gastronomic research." Yeah...er... Cakes - before sampling This time we were hosted by the quirky Bean and Brush Art Cafe, set in the centre of Sale; it's a revelation in do-it-yourself arts and would

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Sale, Trafford, UK53.4251416 -2.32519230000002653.3840171 -2.378227300000026 53.466266100000006 -2.272157300000026tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-70811624586694607372011-09-29T13:36:00.002+01:002011-09-29T21:50:14.458+01:00

It's British Cheese Week; the time of year which fromageophiles such as myself use as an excuse to stock up on the good stuff, retreat indoors and only emerge after the last gooey globlet has been wiped out of the fondue. So taking a break from the annual face stuffing, I'm resting my mandibles and sitting down to write a piece about the one cheese you should be searching out this week. Burt’s

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com3Altrincham, Trafford WA14 1LA, UK53.3907379 -2.345951000000013726.6617379 -62.111576000000014 80.11973789999999 57.419673999999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-77136045683954999942011-09-22T09:47:00.001+01:002011-11-29T09:04:37.715Z

Foodies have long heralded the farmers' market; fair trade jute bag in hand, chatting to the suppliers over ears of freshly harvested corn and handmade gluten free cupcakes. However we need to remember that the raise of the farmers' market is not just a modern phenomenon, but an extension of the traditional market that has been the mainstay of the populace's shopping experience for the past

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com2Bolton BL1 1TQ, UK53.5764904 -2.432553699999971353.5751224 -2.433499199999971 53.5778584 -2.4316081999999715tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-25017488239614898562011-09-16T13:12:00.003+01:002011-09-22T21:20:01.129+01:00

This week over 60 of the regions' top chefs, foodies and restaurateurs came together to celebrate the launch of a unique cookbook - the Relish guide to the North West and Cheshire. Representing the top 20 restaurants across the region; the book features a starter, mains and pudding from each establishment's head chef. The book serves two purposes: a glossy, stylish cookbook for the more

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester, UK53.4838479 -2.245215899999948353.3909929 -2.331669899999948 53.5767029 -2.1587618999999485tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-35584315406024365342011-09-13T19:30:00.002+01:002011-09-13T21:19:37.813+01:00

Sometimes the best things in life are the most simple. No faff, no pretence and therefore no mess ups. This is the philosophy of Teacup and Cakes' new evening menu; now offered on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the hip eatery that usually serves tea, cake and soup during the day. Teacup and cakes - with thanks to The Local Data Company There's not much to the menu - pick your meatball; fear

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester M4 1NA, UK53.4840992 -2.2365071000000453.483408700000005 -2.23738210000004 53.4847897 -2.2356321000000396tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-52900085097484599372011-09-07T12:45:00.000+01:002011-09-07T12:45:08.399+01:00

I've long been on the search for chilli jam that doesn't place heat before flavour, only burn the back of your throat and leave a chemical aftertaste, or be so vinegary as to make me pull a face akin to the one I pulled when I was seven and my 'best mate' dared me to eat an entire packet of super sourz gobstoppers. At once. Stopping off at an unknown village, whilst conducting a whistle stop

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Penrith, Cumbria, UK54.6521815 -2.7424739000000554.50749 -3.03942940000005 54.796873 -2.44551840000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-80226997903458658272011-09-06T13:10:00.000+01:002011-09-06T13:10:45.447+01:00

I am highly suspicious of a place that offers an overly extensive menu, how does the kitchen keep so many ingredients fresh and concentrate on so many dishes? The Beeches at Standish is one of these places; the menu itself is rather long, however this is accompanied by a 'specials' board that is actually longer than the standard menu. Something seemed afoot and it wasn't just the dated carpet,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com4Standish, Wigan, UK53.5858436 -2.666200900000035353.570199099999996 -2.6962114000000352 53.6014881 -2.6361904000000353tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-24698184721469449872011-08-30T15:06:00.002+01:002011-09-06T17:19:32.370+01:00

Smoak is Malmaison Manchester's new restaurant; a big, bold brasserie marketing itself as an homage to the grill, good provenance and plenty of meat. Situated on the ground floor of the hotel you're greeted by friendly staff dressed down in jeans and converse, in a bid by the hotel to tell you that this isn't a stuffy old hotel restaurant; it's got mixologists and stripped zinc and house wine

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com1Manchester M1 1LZ, UK53.48187619999999 -2.23791119999998553.480495699999985 -2.239551199999985 53.48325669999999 -2.236271199999985tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-88829078366920053212011-08-24T21:16:00.000+01:002011-08-24T21:16:15.054+01:00

When I was at primary school we had a dragon of a teacher named Mrs Parker; tightly permed grey hair, lined face, perma-nicotine stained fingers and a bark that could quell a doberman at fifty paces. Apart from giving me a fear of short, permed, old ladies the only lasting lesson she impressed on the young me was that Spain was full of matadors eating paella and shouting viva espana, thanks to

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com2Horwich, Bolton BL6 7AA, UK53.59921259999999 -2.546795200000019653.59851909999999 -2.5476857000000197 53.599906099999984 -2.5459047000000194tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-5562321648510435242011-08-17T22:11:00.002+01:002011-08-17T22:17:34.033+01:00

Where do old DJs go when they hang up their headphones? Some become big name record producers, some crash and burn spectacularly and some get graveyard slots on Radio Hull. And some open bars, as have Jake and Luke of  Manchester's legendary Unabombers - is this where their reputations lay down and die? Electrik is the latest offering from Jake and Luke Unabomber and is decked out in mismatched

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester M21 0AE, UK53.4423165 -2.276139699999930653.441610999999995 -2.2778346999999304 53.443022 -2.274444699999931tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-75628460425109844172011-08-11T21:41:00.001+01:002011-08-11T21:51:06.081+01:00

Cake, cake, cake. What's better than cake? How about 22 cakes? How about 22 cakes and 25 people talking about cake. How about 22 cakes and 25 people talking about cakes AND you get to eat the cakes for FREE and take the leftover cake home with you? Cakes galore! Welcome to the world of the Clandestine Cake Club, a group of like-minded individuals that meets up at secret locations and chats cakes

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester M21 0SD, UK53.44269449999999 -2.27200210000000953.441988999999985 -2.273696600000009 53.44339999999999 -2.2703076000000086tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-64568271121287353482011-08-04T20:31:00.002+01:002011-08-12T13:04:48.797+01:00

BBQ is big right now - and I don't just mean overweight men drinking Stella burning Poundland sausages, battling against the British weather whilst their wives get tipsy on no food and warm rose. No, I mean proper  BBQ, rich from the American South where people win prizes for their 24 hour smoked hog and closely guarded BBQ basting recipes are passed down from father to son in time honoured

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester, UK53.47960259901695 -2.250126948132333453.38674759901695 -2.336580948132333 53.57245759901695 -2.1636729481323336tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-57888709815777644992011-08-02T18:44:00.002+01:002011-08-12T13:05:15.883+01:00

There’s one thing Italian’s do well and that’s style; from the matching all in ones of the ski slope, to the famous fashion house of Milan. Thinking of stylish eateries they have cool, airy rooms full of white tablecloths and glistening silverware, wafts of lemon and fig float in through the billowing white curtains and men stand in stylishly cut suits, smoking on the terrace overlooking the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com3Stockport SK4 4DT, UK53.4162209 -2.18954910000002253.4148569 -2.190474100000022 53.4175849 -2.188624100000022tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-28104756791248942302011-08-01T22:36:00.002+01:002011-08-12T13:05:42.917+01:00

Good Japanese food is a scarce find in Manchester. Yes there's plenty about - Sapporro, New Samsi, Tokyo Season, Yo! to name a few, but quality is hard to find and it's not easy on the wallet either. Yuzu, on Faulkner Street at the edge of Manchester's compact but vibrant China Town, is set to change all that. The restaurant's a simple affair with an understated sign and a paired down interior;

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester M1 4EE, UK53.4782685 -2.23956350000003153.4775785 -2.2404385000000313 53.4789585 -2.238688500000031tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-31605942497382570092011-07-28T21:48:00.003+01:002011-08-12T13:06:36.353+01:00

There must be a 'how to' guide on putting together upmarket country pubs that's doing the rounds of Northern villages at the moment. Roaring fires, mismatched furniture, real ale on tap, Farrow and Ball paint scheme and a gourmet burger on the menu. The Windmill in Parbold has recently been revamped and it seems they have read the aforesaid how to. The dining room and snug are replete with old,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Parbold, Wigan, Lancashire WN8 7NU, UK53.5898583 -2.77002179999999553.5884878 -2.7709892999999948 53.5912288 -2.769054299999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-65426852772713985482011-07-20T22:06:00.000+01:002011-07-20T22:06:22.804+01:00

On a designated Wednesday night once a month, a secretive group of gastronomes comes together at undisclosed destinations across Manchester city centre to cook for each other and score each other against strict criteria. It was with great honour that I was asked to judge the annual WNC competition last week, where the three highest scoring members presented me with a course each; the menu kept

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK53.4807125 -2.23437650000005353.3878575 -2.320830500000053 53.5735675 -2.1479225000000532tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-57181006267109782212011-07-17T22:11:00.002+01:002011-08-12T13:07:12.099+01:00

Tucked away in Manchester's Northern Quarter, sandwiched between a skate shop and a terrible bar which usually smells of sick on a Friday night is a new gem in Manchester's coffee house compendium. North Tea Power is a small shop decked out in light wood, with small tables and and a large communal table in the middle. Soothing modern folk music can just be heard over the click of locals'

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester M4 1LA, UK53.4828604 -2.23565640000003953.4821699 -2.236531400000039 53.4835509 -2.2347814000000388tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-3590737538076399682011-07-12T22:22:00.001+01:002011-08-02T13:04:05.283+01:00

Last weekend I lost my virginity, that of the supper clubs that is and was lucky enough that my first one was a launch event for JoinUs4Supper at the North Star Deli in Chorlton. North Star Deli - with thanks to the wonderful Christelle Vaillant, ace photographer and foodophile The theme of the night was local food - as anyone will know I'm an avid supporter of local produce, local suppliers and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com5Manchester, Greater Manchester M21 0SD, UK53.44269449999999 -2.27200210000000953.441988999999985 -2.273696600000009 53.44339999999999 -2.2703076000000086tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-86724314531439905632011-07-07T21:58:00.001+01:002011-08-12T13:07:46.016+01:00

Luciano's is the recent incarnation of an Italian restaurant at The Millstone, it's been remade and done up - previously it was a sad, tired restaurant with peeling 90s wallpaper serving over-priced, over-cooked food apparently with a mediterranean influence ie. served with watery courgettes and a sprinkling of oregano. From the outside the Millstone looks like an old-style country pub, however

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com2Chorley, Lancashire PR6 9HJ, UK53.6112513 -2.57674229999997853.6105578 -2.577634299999978 53.611944799999996 -2.575850299999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-68710666716907572942011-07-05T19:41:00.003+01:002011-12-01T14:14:59.956Z

I recently entered Evuna with trepidation; not because I was dining with the father-in-law, more for the fact that I've had some decidedly dodgy tapas in the past, some of which has been served to me at Evuna. But buoyed by recent good experiences (see Charango and Salt House Tapas), and the fact that the father-in-law was paying, my hopes were as riding as high as my spirits. Evuna with thanks 

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Manchester, Greater Manchester M3 4EW, UK53.47638569999999 -2.250401000000010853.47365519999999 -2.2519855000000106 53.479116199999986 -2.248816500000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-48565906158825887872011-06-28T00:06:00.002+01:002011-08-12T13:08:26.255+01:00

We've been to The Clog and Billycock in Pleasington a few times since we upped sticks and moved out of the city to greener pastures. Our first few visits were amazing; a great pub in a lovely area with well sourced, well cooked food, making the most of the riches the North West has to offer. The Clog and Billycock is one of Lancashire chef Nigel Howarth's chain of Ribble Valley Inns that are big

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen BB2 6QB, UK53.7498691 -2.52987059999998153.749174599999996 -2.530765099999981 53.7505636 -2.5289760999999813tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-36599157648663061272011-06-22T21:27:00.001+01:002011-06-22T21:29:02.168+01:00

Anyone who has read by blog or tweets will agree that I am completely addicted to cheese. It can happen to the best of us and it's happened to me. So imagine my delight to find Vive le Cheese; the people who have the job of promoting French cheese (can I  have a job there please?), were holding a cheese and wine night and had invited me to attend. Held at the Soup Kitchen in Manchester's

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com3Manchester, Greater Manchester M1 1DF, UK53.4834034 -2.23380589999999353.4827129 -2.234680899999993 53.4840939 -2.232930899999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-45967366071653214482011-06-17T14:01:00.001+01:002011-08-12T13:09:18.820+01:00

Fancying a cheap bite to eat before the cinema I dragged the boy into Handmade Noodle King on Faulkner Street in Manchester’s China Town earlier this week. Having been a big buzz on twitter and blogger lately, plus wanting to break the chain of eating in our usual haunts; I was eager to try these handmade noodles. The front of the restaurant in pretty unassuming, especially as there’s a fancy

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com2Faulkner St, Manchester, Greater Manchester M1, UK53.4783288 -2.23990800000001453.4771828 -2.241532000000014 53.4794748 -2.238284000000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-16584134819071858562011-05-16T21:55:00.002+01:002011-08-12T13:10:05.578+01:00

Baekdu is a place I've always wondered about. Located on the wrong side of the Northern Quarter, near to the Shudehill bus station and the big glass car park. It's a non-descript building with frosted windows so isn't the most inviting looking place.  However boy and I were very hungry and in  pre-gig rush; everywhere was turning us down/didn't appeal - and in a fit of desperation the boy

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-21707428761776168042011-05-15T20:25:00.000+01:002011-05-15T20:25:33.080+01:00

I've never ordered meat online as I'm one for a good old eye up and fondle of produce before I exchange any of my hard earned readies. Lately I have been at a lose end when trying to find a good chorizo as the usual ones I come across are far too fatty/salty/harshly spiced and seem to rely on either far too much cheap paprika, giving them a bright orange appearance and tinny taste. Or rely on

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-48575251765734513062011-05-08T00:36:00.003+01:002011-08-12T13:10:48.626+01:00

Popping out for lunch to say goodbye to a work colleague it was decided that we should stop by The Crown at Worthington for their lunch time meal deal. The Crown at Worthington is a traditional pub with a large extension to the rear. The front of the pub is definitely the most charming (I find the dining room at the back a little soulless), with little nooks and crannies, old mismatched

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0Standish, Wigan WN1 2XF, UK53.5970709 -2.64140080000004250.3356284 -10.112103800000042 56.8585134 4.829302199999958tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-26748967452845147122011-05-02T01:31:00.003+01:002011-08-12T13:11:14.130+01:00

A great meal is not usually preceded by "Ergh, you're not going there are you?!" Which was the comment we received from the boy's boss in the pub just before I popped down to The Mark Addy on the Salford/Manchester boarder. Thankfully it's been a few years since the boss has been there and in that time Robert Owen Brown has taken over as Head Chef and brought the menu bang up to date in line

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-52249326423015258462011-04-25T22:04:00.002+01:002011-04-28T12:49:48.427+01:00

Cheese - loved by many, loathed by the boy, obsessed over by me. I remember the day I actually fell in love with cheese: I was three years old and my parents had laid out a classic 'bits and pieces' (basically a Saturday night off cooking for my Mum so we had a pic-nic in the lounge - blanket and all) and unusually for small village Wales there was a very ripe, creamy, oozing Camembert included

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-83169301133718301742011-04-09T21:05:00.002+01:002011-08-12T13:11:59.085+01:00

Located just off the M65, the The Oyster and Otter is the newest gastropub to spring up near us, so it seemed a good place to take Mother-in-law on her recent visit. Rocking up to the Oyster and Otter we were initially taken aback by the modern, Scandinavian look of the building - usually reserved for new Brewyers Faryes and other such establishments, we hoped the food wouldn't be the usual

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-81396604207444333802011-04-07T22:46:00.004+01:002011-04-07T23:46:21.439+01:00

I'm not one for the beautiful game and I'm not one for rugby league, so I wasn't really excited about the prospect of eating in a football/rugby stadium: let alone one five minutes from where I work. However it was the Scouser's leaving do and I had hopes it may be a la Delia and the whole Canary Restaurant at Norwich City thing. On pulling up I instantly knew this was no Delia. Rigalettos is

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-40974155796410401282011-02-03T20:36:00.002Z2011-02-08T13:11:45.112Z

As readers will be aware I have reservations about tapas (see Charango post), but Salt House Tapas is approximately 45 seconds walk from The Q's house and with a four week old baby in tow we needed somewhere close to whet the baby's head. As Salt House is the new boy on Liverpool's restaurant scene and part of the ever-expanding Liverpool One complex I was also intrigued to see what they had to

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-84371106868425583402011-01-18T16:58:00.000Z2011-01-18T16:58:40.659Z

Zipping about in their fancy cars, discovering new parts of the country and enjoying themselves along the way was a dream our forefathers held close to their hearts. The architecture of service stations such as Forton on the M6 is testament to this with its tower restaurant and futuristic space ship design. Forton Services - with thanks to Geograph.co.uk Service stations were once a place of

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-70827281482931619052011-01-02T18:25:00.001Z2011-01-05T17:46:21.367Z

Teacup has been serving vegetarian fare, cakes and coffee to the trendy young hipsters/hungover heads of Manchester's northern quarter for the last couple of years. Originally called Cup (against the wall) it was not only a tea and cake emporium, but was a place to pick up select vintage china, LPs, Mr Scruff-obilia and funky t-shirts (Teacup is owned by Manc DJ Mr Scruff). However times

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-51276206955647613142010-12-21T18:39:00.006Z2011-08-12T13:12:54.661+01:00

Gordon Ramsey - a shouty, crinkly faced, telly-monger and not someone I usually consult for anything other than how not to speak to other people. However female solicitor is a fan of some really trash telly and mentioned that Mr Ramsey had recently bestowed Yu and You Ribble with the title of 'Best Chinese Restaurant,' therefore we should probably nip over to the Horwich branch to see if we

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-19039901051038309822010-10-20T21:58:00.003+01:002012-01-30T09:44:49.469Z

Ladies who lunch - this title has never applied to me before; however with a reunion of old school friends on the books and a need to fill our bellies elegantly, but without the usual 'Ladies Who Lunch' price tag, we popped in to The Northern Quarter Restaurant for the Sunday Lunch menu. The Northern Quarter Restaurant - with thanks to largemanchester.com The Northern Quarter Restaurant has been

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-56958782039898978432010-09-27T22:05:00.002+01:002011-08-12T13:13:21.156+01:00

Call me old fashioned, but I don't like to be lied to. I know, it's an old prejudice that I just can't get over, but I especially hate it when there is no need to be lied to. Arriving at The Cartford Inn on a Friday night we had expected a long wait for a table or to be turned away, especially as we hadn't booked ahead. After Chinese whispers through four staff we were told we had been squeezed

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-4916691762916073422010-09-21T18:53:00.002+01:002011-01-05T18:20:04.999Z

Not matter what many people tell you cheap is most often not cheerful. I am highly suspicious of things I think are too good to be true. So imagine my surprise in enjoying a very cheap meal in the basement of one of Manchester's premier Japanese restaurants. Izakaya Samsi is the newest addition in the rapidly growing Samsi chain of restaurants in Manchester. Located in the basement underneath 

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-40629641645824190852010-09-20T16:02:00.005+01:002010-12-22T11:53:01.788Z

Having spent many years practicing eating, I have been largely been disappointed by every South American restaurant I have ever eaten in; so much so that I have stopped eating in them. Largely this is due to fried everything, substandard steak and the belief that smoked paprika and harsh chili are the only flavourings found throughout the whole of the continent. It was with a heavy heart and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-35569088858073436942010-09-18T18:19:00.002+01:002010-09-21T18:56:47.609+01:00

After a long day and no sleep the night before there was nothing I wanted other than someone to cook my food, and I didn't fancy one of the boy's accidentally grilled pizzas. Not being too far from Retreat the boy and I decided to give it a go as we had been promising for a while to pop along. There is nothing more disappointing than arriving at 8pm to find half a restaurant booked out by an

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-42098591082024943122010-09-09T10:39:00.001+01:002010-09-14T17:52:23.773+01:00

The Home Farm Shop is a farm shop on steroids. Owned by Ainscoughs, the Parbold family that have been farming the area for the last 200 years and who have built up a 'group of select, pubs, hotels and restuarants' throughout the North West, the shop sells their organic and high welfare produce; plus a delicious selection of other goodies and is next door to their pub The Eagle and Child. Home

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-32172335722893169722010-09-08T21:43:00.004+01:002010-12-22T11:14:40.683Z

Sometimes you have a longing for a proper pub; a pub with dark wood, flagged floors, proper ale on tap and a log fire (ok, the fire was off as it was a hot day, but you're getting the picture). The only thing about a 'proper pub' is that you run a gauntlet with the menu: chicken nuggets, scampi, flabby chips and pickled eggs, if you're lucky. Thankfully there's the The Eagle and Child in Bispham

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-26223126394748662842010-09-06T18:49:00.004+01:002011-01-12T17:36:07.381Z

Another girly day with Mother and stuck for where to try for dinner we asked the Haworth locals, not the usual small north western town type people - the inhabitants of Haworth are far more likely to know the difference between a jambon iberico de bellota and jamon iberico de cebo than which Jedward is which - and after establishing that yes, we have already eaten at Weavers, and no we didn't

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-71623424739507328122010-08-30T21:54:00.003+01:002010-09-21T18:55:56.254+01:00

I don’t usually go to a restaurant without any type of research as in the past I have had my fingers quite badly burned (or should that be my tongue?). Having gone away for some girly time with the Mother I let her book a restaurant for our first night in Haworth and went to it blind, but thankfully not to the slaughter. Weavers in Haworth is tucked up off the main, cobbled street at the top of

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-77890882872838824332010-08-24T15:06:00.003+01:002010-09-21T18:55:32.121+01:00

Needing somewhere hearty to eat after an evening of helping the Boy in his endeavors, I had stumbled across The Railway at Euxton through my faithful friend Google, and after comparing it with other local establishments was impressed by the website's description; 'our menu embraces our love of Lancashire and its wonderful flavours which is reflected in a wide variety of freshly prepared local

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-40405244119694025612010-08-23T20:56:00.003+01:002010-09-27T22:49:45.368+01:00

Readers I have a confession to make - I've visited Vermilion before and I had such an awful experience I swore I would never cross the threshold again. However, Best Friend wanted to spend her birthday there, and who was I to tell her the food was awful, the music was too loud, they refused to serve me tap water and the attitude of the staff would make Gandhi go postal. In the belief of second

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-160723438293014352010-08-04T21:49:00.004+01:002010-09-21T18:54:52.562+01:00

Having become something of a Japanophile lately (mainly from copious amounts of comics and Mikado biscuits I have consumed) I was intrigued when the boy mentioned he had been recommended a Japanese restaurant on the edge of Manchester's china town. The restaurant is non-discript from outside with a slightly garish sign, not the most welcoming. We entered and walked down into the basement, which

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887065887986352794.post-74645414320445033112010-08-01T17:54:00.005+01:002010-11-05T16:48:13.800Z

Sometimes you just need meat - a statement that will antagonise environmentalists and vegetarians alike - however a statement that sometimes rings true. With this sentiment burning in our bellies, myself and my companions choose Manchester's Gill on the Alley, part of the the Blackhouse Restaurant Bar chain to satisfy our recent carnivorous cravings. Grill on the Alley could no more be an homage

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592831224681845905noreply@blogger.com2