tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66021741636465140002024-03-13T19:21:53.179+00:00DollybakesBlogger, baker and recipe creator....Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.comBlogger709125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-19462562836863270122018-11-13T20:12:00.000+00:002018-11-13T20:12:42.175+00:00Ply, Manchester - Winter Offerings and Bottomless Brunch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG_QbBoZPXN7g-CoZ-CfqLJ1FyI2kSfcwnq7bW8E-A9JMsS05-xljuWRmKW3Js3Nv-Xhu5yuRIgaJ2LQT-e4Kk9wNfbyxmdnP4bF9-acFKw19HrmFE-DVgO2zfvH5FHri3Ijdch6fRb9t/s1600/10993087_789284134487982_974631791118573174_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ply, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG_QbBoZPXN7g-CoZ-CfqLJ1FyI2kSfcwnq7bW8E-A9JMsS05-xljuWRmKW3Js3Nv-Xhu5yuRIgaJ2LQT-e4Kk9wNfbyxmdnP4bF9-acFKw19HrmFE-DVgO2zfvH5FHri3Ijdch6fRb9t/s200/10993087_789284134487982_974631791118573174_n.png" title="Ply, Manchester" width="200" /></a></div>
Evening all. Apologies for the absence, but I'm sure you've seen from my Instagram that I've still been a busy little bee, eating all the food and drinking all the cocktails. As we're embarking on the festive season, I thought I'd do a couple of posts on some of the nice little weekend escapades I've been on, which you could incorporate into your Christmas shopping! Double whammy...<br />
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So first to <a href="https://www.plymcr.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Ply</span></a>; those of the disco pizza oven and fluffy dough bases. Launched just last week, are their festive cocktails. They were still being perfected, so we got to be guinea pigs. Not a problem my friends.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Dolce Vita - pannetone infused rum, spiced syrup, orange and egg:</span> It's basically a Christmas egg custard in liquid form. Lovely bit of nutmeg on top to warm those cockles and get you in the mood for some festivities. Better than freezing your bits off in some crowded market sipping hot muck from a mug.</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">BlackBerry Messenger - a blend of rum, prosecco, blackberry, orgeat, ginger and honey: </span>Refreshing yet still has that delicate warmth from the ginger.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S8QeCUqvZtzBmqw9MhJliP0dx3OB5HX-kSX_4eRbCumXDFgJ7vuvqcj3hE_RNxpLThogNKVtb-tNvSpIiyhvV7a0vcplaLO0jVuWGll4O7eUc15jLH7fw8NOPt9LYaEH52e3fKvrWOoB/s1600/Ply+Manchester+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ply, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S8QeCUqvZtzBmqw9MhJliP0dx3OB5HX-kSX_4eRbCumXDFgJ7vuvqcj3hE_RNxpLThogNKVtb-tNvSpIiyhvV7a0vcplaLO0jVuWGll4O7eUc15jLH7fw8NOPt9LYaEH52e3fKvrWOoB/s1600/Ply+Manchester+1.png" title="Ply, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">White Chocolate Snowball featuring a flurry of vodka, white chocolate liqueur, prosecco and milk: </span>Only for those with sweet teeth (not tooth). This is like a fizzy milkshake, and not for the faint hearted.<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Roast Peach Old Fashioned - roasted peach infused bourbon, honey and sage</span>: By far Phil's favourite. We both thought the peach may be a little over-powering, but it's actually very delicate, and worked beautifully with the honey.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79pmSHgk_ACEGg7gvzouqAO6U7NnmOngaz-o2yD1jFsVAAnRg-teGh5eVGOhD8AKX0OKz1m2rwavSZWY4zwFnqHtXTkxPsC4Tu5gAwGn1bXYN7FNkmCF23TNoQqQBnoGbxzKUFVSXYxE4/s1600/Ply+Manchester+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ply, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79pmSHgk_ACEGg7gvzouqAO6U7NnmOngaz-o2yD1jFsVAAnRg-teGh5eVGOhD8AKX0OKz1m2rwavSZWY4zwFnqHtXTkxPsC4Tu5gAwGn1bXYN7FNkmCF23TNoQqQBnoGbxzKUFVSXYxE4/s1600/Ply+Manchester+2.png" title="Ply, Manchester" /></a></div>
And so to the carbs my loves. This Sunday saw the launch of Pasta Paul’s Super Soundtrack Sunday, 'bringing the beats whilst Ply serves up the best in bottomless brunch'. Basically, this is unlimited pizza (once you've scoffed your first one), and bottomless Bloody Marys or prosecco, for an hour and a half. It's £25, and is served between 12-6pm every Sunday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxWqucekyphAYEGqAvRUq-38ofN39PAiS_pxqEmig1y5SEHHevnlyr2aEG-bl3Ec_pNJW1bmDLYAiCFhiOv-UjZo2HITs5cuzuuz7cEFChngKHcHFi6_j2V_0G0DYEFXkelmhTlcByRTK/s1600/Ply+Manchester+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ply, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxWqucekyphAYEGqAvRUq-38ofN39PAiS_pxqEmig1y5SEHHevnlyr2aEG-bl3Ec_pNJW1bmDLYAiCFhiOv-UjZo2HITs5cuzuuz7cEFChngKHcHFi6_j2V_0G0DYEFXkelmhTlcByRTK/s1600/Ply+Manchester+4.png" title="Ply, Manchester" /></a></div>
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We were utter lightweights and ate one pizza each. I had the poorest of form, and made Phil eat some of mine! (Rings bell...) Shame! We did however try two of the newest items on the menu.<br /><br /> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Brunch Pizza - crispy pancetta, portobello mushroom, sausage, egg and mozzarella with a tomato base:</span> A full English on a pizza. Nice sausage.<div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Alpino - bianca, asiago, panna, speck, spinach, roast potato, garlic with a white base: </span>I love white based pizzas, as I find tomato sometimes distracts from the flavour of the topping. The Alpine has thinly sliced potatoes which crisp beautifully in the inferno style pizza oven. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OxddvA2JbMUIR3aCls3t5f3odc899c4De3RH25SUojlcAOR8CXXct5bKd_L-PkuoWvj2bPmB3MFwHLhKTGa0y1wZQ0JROH20O0ukZ9xutDx-sULYm-pLTQvPquVtTYWx_ukHj9my-Nzc/s1600/Ply+Manchester+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ply, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OxddvA2JbMUIR3aCls3t5f3odc899c4De3RH25SUojlcAOR8CXXct5bKd_L-PkuoWvj2bPmB3MFwHLhKTGa0y1wZQ0JROH20O0ukZ9xutDx-sULYm-pLTQvPquVtTYWx_ukHj9my-Nzc/s1600/Ply+Manchester+3.png" title="Ply, Manchester" /></a></div>
Absolutely love Ply. I've never had a bad pizza from there, and the staff are always the right level of chatty. Our lovely waitress was getting well giddy about her post shift roast, and had we not just gorged on pizza, we would have been very tempted to join her! We're all about the gravy.<br />
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Go here for a chilled afternoon of eclectic tunes, pizza, fizz and some cracking winter warmers.<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: I was invited to Ply to try their new offerings. Let's face it, I'd have gone anyway! They did not threaten to throw me in the pizza oven if I said anything nasty, and we did not gatecrash our waitress' roast. Too far. And we were full. </span></div>
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Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com026 Lever St, Manchester M1 1DW, UK53.4823047 -2.2339500000000527.9602702 -43.542544000000049 79.0043392 39.07464399999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-70569394267514511312018-10-25T21:31:00.005+01:002021-05-13T21:13:57.725+01:00Campo Blanco, Whitefield<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sc0R_ljA6oxmqqxfc1Nbv52oNwaNxHQUu-lPYUw4mAKcdC4Zq8FN0onoHDlmwp47cHVvmJx1qtDVO4CdJG4YQZ1Eu56ERYW3L6UlxDQd_PfaBVlvIjFGMgGQxnjROI_zHexeWf0mXDy_/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sc0R_ljA6oxmqqxfc1Nbv52oNwaNxHQUu-lPYUw4mAKcdC4Zq8FN0onoHDlmwp47cHVvmJx1qtDVO4CdJG4YQZ1Eu56ERYW3L6UlxDQd_PfaBVlvIjFGMgGQxnjROI_zHexeWf0mXDy_/s200/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+.png" title="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" width="200" /></a></div>
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About bloody time really. We shamelessly stalked the opening of <a href="https://campoblanco.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Campo Blanco</span></a> after a summer of whinging 'we need a good tapas place round here'. Then one day we saw a sign go up, there was activity inside, and we were poised. A right little temptress on Instagram, they were driving me crackers! Then on Sunday we finally found ourselves spending a damp afternoon sampling their wares.</div>
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We walked in to see a well stocked bar, packed with some unusual bottles and an eager barman. I got chatting to Aaron, who co-owns Campo Blanco with his fiancé Faye Jennings, who told me all about their future plans and how they've strived to make it as inclusive as possible. Gluten free-ers, veggies and vegans worry not, for you will be fully catered for. He talked passionately about their organic wines, and how they make families welcome whilst not interrupting couples wanting some peace. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsw-niAUkNbVuFvo_ARs0MAm0fhHJtyCV7L0EtuafziPcq3Sj0nMw31IGZ5x_IromLgmHWUPIUJrF6yMs9YegPf-NC7fVUdQ2ELvewEYdTtCaJXMOa0aEyWKEKxAOrKcJIeVDgcTYTTDX/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsw-niAUkNbVuFvo_ARs0MAm0fhHJtyCV7L0EtuafziPcq3Sj0nMw31IGZ5x_IromLgmHWUPIUJrF6yMs9YegPf-NC7fVUdQ2ELvewEYdTtCaJXMOa0aEyWKEKxAOrKcJIeVDgcTYTTDX/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+1.png" title="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" /></a></div>
The menu is extensive without feeling like you're faced with a wall in a Chinese takeaway, and once agin provided the age old conundrum of 'what in the hell do we order?' I think we did alright you know. <br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Flatbread with manchego and chorizo:</span> Thin, crispy bread with cheese and meat, which I really wish we had saved to mop up sauces. Note for the future. Or just order more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu5q7MU0tXGnXgw1r-DxF-gRUL7uyG0CmSANtkBJiJx53xVJl-1FBvJXdDIvScB5gNrpO70r_PcmH6kBR88S3gKluBQgolUyAaku0lQ0rZtQxbWlb0kO4gxTn47tgjtbdtsI-6Nel8Lzx/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu5q7MU0tXGnXgw1r-DxF-gRUL7uyG0CmSANtkBJiJx53xVJl-1FBvJXdDIvScB5gNrpO70r_PcmH6kBR88S3gKluBQgolUyAaku0lQ0rZtQxbWlb0kO4gxTn47tgjtbdtsI-6Nel8Lzx/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+2.png" title="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Mussels - steamed green shell mussels in a green chilli and parsley sauce: </span>These were Phil's choice, as you know I don't do shellfish as a rule. I did however steal some of that sauce, which was absolutely delicious. He demolished these pretty quickly.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_F5q527XA52oX-hcGOzd8fGV0Mxqsiuhpqc1InW1gB1a4IOfnWiocMBhAz6p0NXyhl1dTKC6j8JoVZ3zfv7OedidYWFGym2xafi0fmQ0pP_ATcynIYuwEaDEqhT39xNNaOo_jDPc7WMZY/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_F5q527XA52oX-hcGOzd8fGV0Mxqsiuhpqc1InW1gB1a4IOfnWiocMBhAz6p0NXyhl1dTKC6j8JoVZ3zfv7OedidYWFGym2xafi0fmQ0pP_ATcynIYuwEaDEqhT39xNNaOo_jDPc7WMZY/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+3.png" title="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Fried peppers - pan roasted baby peppers drizzled in green mojo (homemade green sauce made with coriander, parsley, garlic, chilli, shallots and sherry vinegar)</span>: A lovely piquancy to these. Could have been a little softer, but still great flavour. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6muQoiwezn-bw-FJKptUOwRNrfLTjWO6IkdTz4ICWHcq5GfJ0Fa32b_c8kpJYZEEiKFfqwJE2Am7EPqJTejT5SXyivvlM7YDCLVfmLFNH8hCBgF4LAqwAEDiGOd5erE48LJrUgmM810-z/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6muQoiwezn-bw-FJKptUOwRNrfLTjWO6IkdTz4ICWHcq5GfJ0Fa32b_c8kpJYZEEiKFfqwJE2Am7EPqJTejT5SXyivvlM7YDCLVfmLFNH8hCBgF4LAqwAEDiGOd5erE48LJrUgmM810-z/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+4.png" title="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Sweet potato fries with bravas sauce and fried onions: </span>Poor picture, great dish. We both loved the large pieces of onion on these. Great for dipping in sauce if you've been greedy and eaten all your bread early doors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzDkjS9DZ0_EnpbSHzm8PP8ou2k2ZoKuKH-8Uy1C7fA8lgVtWTEDYdzpo2S1hSosrFfxHk-VYAJmDW7iaRUxfv_K3dqdSds7z32JS-F2fnr8bRkLlMHJLSUevwbuf1uQoGvk6yHg_oWDU/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzDkjS9DZ0_EnpbSHzm8PP8ou2k2ZoKuKH-8Uy1C7fA8lgVtWTEDYdzpo2S1hSosrFfxHk-VYAJmDW7iaRUxfv_K3dqdSds7z32JS-F2fnr8bRkLlMHJLSUevwbuf1uQoGvk6yHg_oWDU/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+5.png" title="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Crispy chilli chicken - fried chicken thighs coated in a homemade spice blend served with chillies, spring onions and chipotle mayo: </span>Imagine if KFC was actually good, and didn't leave you feeling dead inside. Bingo. Not a smattering of grease, these were beautifully spiced and that chipotle mayo was top notch.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9N7g4rpEYtYxBSW3rhh0FIw1T327awWQSglWWzpTQ0o6n-W56otrU1IdIsE-MXXL0H54hicZ5TPxQ1qwqkYFNUvfO6iGRtMzt6t0Xk1olZ03-0Y24s4xYQ0YT8exskB60VJB9vyALlUg/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9N7g4rpEYtYxBSW3rhh0FIw1T327awWQSglWWzpTQ0o6n-W56otrU1IdIsE-MXXL0H54hicZ5TPxQ1qwqkYFNUvfO6iGRtMzt6t0Xk1olZ03-0Y24s4xYQ0YT8exskB60VJB9vyALlUg/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+6.png" title="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Steak medallions - tender medallions of beef, drizzled in chimi churri (homemade green drizzle with pepper, onion, olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika and ancho chilli):</span> One of my two favourite dishes. Zingy, fresh chimi churri was utterly perfect on the tender beef.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjN3UPQxmhCGsZ211wlcqrma2hp5YeiXodnCSBokAvtijn5sOym3z3kzHBpIhdra3_cAv73g6EnqHZFD1viGEYb7dRPit_Z0xpQiglj9YZYdfDR5SL713zQUMATJDhGSqQOypllaL0-N2/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjN3UPQxmhCGsZ211wlcqrma2hp5YeiXodnCSBokAvtijn5sOym3z3kzHBpIhdra3_cAv73g6EnqHZFD1viGEYb7dRPit_Z0xpQiglj9YZYdfDR5SL713zQUMATJDhGSqQOypllaL0-N2/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+7.png" title="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Black pudding and blue cheese - traditional Spanish black pudding served with a blue pico cheese sauce: </span>My other favourite. That sauce is unbelievable. If you don't like blue cheese, do not fret. It's incredibly delicate, and is the perfect partner to the local black pudding. I must insist that you order this. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ORXHUILRQtpOhPtmSsnzKUuRQkZO0qDScRVa4Hf3yJrouyQXzGy09DpbmXDwGT3Fd0OmTwOCNA7y-ca_BqnnkpuS1GaYrGgqHg0yMGiJnEzQ1TEO3ggajLkBnIhK_g__e1KZF4xsYAT6/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+10.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ORXHUILRQtpOhPtmSsnzKUuRQkZO0qDScRVa4Hf3yJrouyQXzGy09DpbmXDwGT3Fd0OmTwOCNA7y-ca_BqnnkpuS1GaYrGgqHg0yMGiJnEzQ1TEO3ggajLkBnIhK_g__e1KZF4xsYAT6/s1600/Campo+Blanco+Whitefield+10.png" title="Campo Blanco, Whitefield" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Churros with dulce de leche:</span> Churros have to be ordered if they are on the menu. It's essential. I have to say, these are some of the best churros I've ever had, and this greedy girl has eaten a lot. They had the balance of crisp exterior and soft interior just right. </div>
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We had such a lovely time at Campo Blanco that we are already planning to go back for brunch, and another trip for cocktails in the evening. I loved the passion of everyone involved, from the ideas being cooked up by Aaron and Faye, to their chef wanting every dish to look just perfect. They are nice people living their dream, and taking us along for the ride. I can't wait to see what they have up their sleeve in the future, as this seems to be an ever evolving venture.<br />
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Go here for a relaxed lunch, or enjoy the hustle and bustle of a busy evening service. Either way, you're going to eat some great food! I'll report back on that brunch.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.cibdol.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.cibdol.com</a></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com01 Moss Ln, Whitefield, Manchester M45 6QE, UK53.5480094 -2.293184200000041528.025974899999998 -43.601778200000041 79.0700439 39.015409799999958tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-73186254530994176282018-10-24T20:51:00.004+01:002018-10-24T20:53:31.367+01:00Rock Spice - Stretford, Manchester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8JASG7s8C-RhKbpWCQMLnEaJftuvdzdRoo5PQ-KO6NGzFXdEMNjfuugZ3Jl4Zy1eDWP4Bb6b3VOC5a1P-FZcB8N4yvIMVVCA4mKSsTF-8XAt9sKFicsxaEphXbMy7YpKSj7Nqj_bfK3P/s1600/Rock+Spice+Mancheter+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rock Spice, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8JASG7s8C-RhKbpWCQMLnEaJftuvdzdRoo5PQ-KO6NGzFXdEMNjfuugZ3Jl4Zy1eDWP4Bb6b3VOC5a1P-FZcB8N4yvIMVVCA4mKSsTF-8XAt9sKFicsxaEphXbMy7YpKSj7Nqj_bfK3P/s1600/Rock+Spice+Mancheter+.jpg" title="Rock Spice, Manchester" /></a></div>
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Bubbles, lots of lovely food, good company and even a bit of magic. Sounds like a fun filled Friday evening to me.</div>
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<a href="http://www.rockspice.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Rock Spice</span></a> is tipped to be a new breed of Asian restaurant, taking a step away from the local curry house, and fusing Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi cuisines with Western influences. They appear to be setting their sights high, with another three sites planned for Blackpool, Liverpool and London, with 20-30 eventually on the cards. Literally in the shadows of Old Trafford's East Stand, it's an ideal place to go pre or post match, although I fear if I went beforehand, I would sleep through the game. Although that may be a blessing at the moment...<br />
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Bubbles were flowing on arrival, and we soon spotted blogging pals Charlie and Simon (<a href="http://ginfuelledbluestocking.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Gin Fuelled Blue Stocking</span></a>), and Carl and Stephen (<a href="http://thegourmetgays.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">The Gourmet Gays</span></a>).<br />
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So to the food. We were given lots of dishes to try, which the team felt showcased what they had on offer. Apologies in advance for the poor lighting, we were not in a photo friendly spot! I'm sure you'll get the gist though.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Tandoori fish and vegetable canapés:</span> Lovely bitesized pieces of white fish or vegetables covered in tandoori style spices, with tamarind and mint dips. Perfect with a glass of fizz. I'm not even going to lie, our table ate a lot of these. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOgoIT-pBYwRaEGIVAwDxTYD8QsnZ4DBWFgR3owgnXsh35eLTEW-xK9q6aaUG2joYROEJktp31J0sMaiuMGr5tctFXH7JLbdOilxz_dz5ZTRqNbZ4NGCJ6SX9keFmnb9ssfaS8gbFM74J/s1600/Rock+Spice+Mancheter+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rock Spice, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOgoIT-pBYwRaEGIVAwDxTYD8QsnZ4DBWFgR3owgnXsh35eLTEW-xK9q6aaUG2joYROEJktp31J0sMaiuMGr5tctFXH7JLbdOilxz_dz5ZTRqNbZ4NGCJ6SX9keFmnb9ssfaS8gbFM74J/s1600/Rock+Spice+Mancheter+2.png" title="Rock Spice, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Golgappas topped with panipuri:</span> It was very unclear what was going on here. One was mint, the other was 'spicy', both had a little panipuri on the top, filled with spicy onions. Jeez Louise these packed a punch! A little strong for me, but a fun concept which got the table talking. They are hot dammit. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPtWEjKk8-W2btwyAJzoY7NEnbAFA1soo6TPzhJUY4NGjqQ1A2jBDBlp-t1_XbGNeWe2QlHibTWLYeJf0GQ4se52kQonrmZ0_Osn20wnnzBmyBhXESLT3FtSY6Q9Hxx01zOlU8d70iwjm/s1600/Rock+Spice+Mancheter+3b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rock Spice, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPtWEjKk8-W2btwyAJzoY7NEnbAFA1soo6TPzhJUY4NGjqQ1A2jBDBlp-t1_XbGNeWe2QlHibTWLYeJf0GQ4se52kQonrmZ0_Osn20wnnzBmyBhXESLT3FtSY6Q9Hxx01zOlU8d70iwjm/s1600/Rock+Spice+Mancheter+3b.png" title="Rock Spice, Manchester" /></a></div>
Between courses, the delightful Harry Robson (fresh out of Hogwarts) was entertaining us with some magic tricks. I'm the first to say I hate table magic, and most magicians in general, but Harry is a right little diamond. He brings humour and some really clever tricks. Met with a table of over-thinkers and hand watchers, he managed to baffle us all by getting Simon's card into a sealed envelope. You're a wizard Harry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFLwwFjkG1_Q39CPszmJ_4Kk4-FjbapYa8QCWQfEBRbt_vHoDH-JDDVUB33YCSKgM5o0JspZKdR_MKuOdt3n6w_QgDEXx_BOBYwzvEnKIZfi9A73GAV-h9Mxs2v2QpgNFGndUDKU8-nFH/s1600/Rock+Spice+Mancheter+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rock Spice, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFLwwFjkG1_Q39CPszmJ_4Kk4-FjbapYa8QCWQfEBRbt_vHoDH-JDDVUB33YCSKgM5o0JspZKdR_MKuOdt3n6w_QgDEXx_BOBYwzvEnKIZfi9A73GAV-h9Mxs2v2QpgNFGndUDKU8-nFH/s1600/Rock+Spice+Mancheter+4.png" title="Rock Spice, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Mixed grill platter:</span> I'm pretty sure this is the Bolton influence in this 'fusion' style of cuisine. A big platter of meat which was very well received at this stage, as we were mightily peckish. My highlight was the charred spicy lamb chop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6Zue5bsp92XyyOEl5Nbx0vFJdv_xw4YDK7vxxQJDjb2KmSUT93vEW454gs8BNYnbmHPum4BR7aTQt2A3_7wC0SJlTzMPcAUjv6t0UJe9Yw9RY4Gyrvo7rH2Sh2p9gREiQLYZlLOkvtWP/s1600/Rock+Spice+Mancheter+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rock Spice, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6Zue5bsp92XyyOEl5Nbx0vFJdv_xw4YDK7vxxQJDjb2KmSUT93vEW454gs8BNYnbmHPum4BR7aTQt2A3_7wC0SJlTzMPcAUjv6t0UJe9Yw9RY4Gyrvo7rH2Sh2p9gREiQLYZlLOkvtWP/s1600/Rock+Spice+Mancheter+5.png" title="Rock Spice, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Mixed pepper and mango salsa: </span>Who even knew that I'd be sat here raving about a salad? This was absolutely delicious. Shards of tricoloured peppers with ribbons of carrot, mango and coriander. I could have eaten this whole platter. I want this with every curry from now on. A real star of the show considering it was something so simple.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-wvAsMpNYpCmbG6k37i2fR9dRmh_MWFTjX04SzvdxqreaXyNKvqDJ2-RNsg9NifRXbCxfkvZGbdeJcS7zK6iqSsT1eKr4X-TRpMzSwuRUjfVxZVF8DnnpQtT-f_fZhcOZTZqh8h3eUID/s1600/Rock+Spice+Manchester+salad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rock Spice, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-wvAsMpNYpCmbG6k37i2fR9dRmh_MWFTjX04SzvdxqreaXyNKvqDJ2-RNsg9NifRXbCxfkvZGbdeJcS7zK6iqSsT1eKr4X-TRpMzSwuRUjfVxZVF8DnnpQtT-f_fZhcOZTZqh8h3eUID/s1600/Rock+Spice+Manchester+salad.png" title="Rock Spice, Manchester" /></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Chicken biriyani: </span>God bless the arrival of carbs. My cousin's wife is from Pakistan (special mention to Sakba), and makes the best chicken biriyani. Very few come close, but I have to say this was pretty near. The chicken was well marinaded, and the rice had taken on rich flavours from the cooking liquor. </div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Channa masala: </span>Lifelong carnivore, absolutely loving this dish. The only one that we ate every scrap of. Cooked down to perfection, this was best paired with fluffy naan bread. Could just have this now. Furious.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Chicken afzaa: </span>A pleasant creamy dish, which I expected to taste like a korma because of its colour. It was actually nowhere near as sweet, yet still very creamy.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Lamb karahi: </span>Tender slow-cooked lamb in a thick, fragrant sauce. Great with rice. It was nice to see three very different sauces showcased over the variety of curry dishes.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Garlic butter naan bread:</span> The lovely fluffy variety, rather than the type where the edges are like toast. The addition of melted butter infused with garlic kept them wonderfully moist too. Perfect for dipping in those sauces.<br />
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The chefs at Rock Spice had a lot of people to serve on Friday, all on the same sitting. Much respect to the kitchen, who managed to turn out great food which was fresh and piping hot throughout the night. Evenings spent eating lots of tasty food, catching up with friends, and sipping bubbles are the best type. Huge thanks go to Caroline and the Rock Spice team for our invite, and a very pleasant evening indeed.</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: This was a free press event. I was not coerced into saying nice things, and to the best of my knowledge, no spells were put on me by Harry in order to sway my judgement. I just really like curry. </span></div>
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Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0730 Chesters Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 0RS, UK53.4601493 -2.2910229000000333.904501299999993 -43.599616900000029 73.0157973 39.017571099999969tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-82476578567545289132018-10-22T19:00:00.000+01:002018-10-22T19:00:01.270+01:00Levanter, Ramsbottom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNECVmGjIlz2XbCMORV16_8c-wbqe54lfGY0K3p6ObhRJydvNyCRyM-ol-y6dc0CrjI65q5Q2JQR_cJrSQ796pCApXHVpFCBaIjVSz-YSMw_LJmTTOFSAdsiCUx2WErcBX7ptiJy9Pkp-/s1600/stamp-LFF-windy-gold.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Levanter, Ramsbottom" border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNECVmGjIlz2XbCMORV16_8c-wbqe54lfGY0K3p6ObhRJydvNyCRyM-ol-y6dc0CrjI65q5Q2JQR_cJrSQ796pCApXHVpFCBaIjVSz-YSMw_LJmTTOFSAdsiCUx2WErcBX7ptiJy9Pkp-/s1600/stamp-LFF-windy-gold.png" title="Levanter, Ramsbottom" /></a></div>
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I gave a huge cheer as Ramsbottom's <a href="http://www.levanterfinefoods.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Levanter</span></a> won 'Casual Restaurant of the Year' at the Manchester Food and Drink Awards. I don't mind telling you that they got my vote after our visit a few weeks ago. Hidden behind the main flurry of shops and restaurants, Levanter and sister restaurant Baratxuri are nestled on Square Street, which feels like a peaceful little place to spend an afternoon eating tapas. </div>
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First rule of tapas - staring blankly at the menu, fully aware of the fact that I will be unable to choose an adequate amount of dishes, owing to the fact 'they all sound so nice'. Cue a meat platter! Happy days. Lots of carnivorous 'bits' to keep me happy. Look at this meat!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzhvMuCg4oq5PJkOqnF1-7LQ-Yi1_x6-DFIcVva97RZkMUatFlqsDHh9QJ11p6g5ImTvQI2CMhOXcbd5JR5PwZnHzw9kE9eW_Qi84t3C8P2IWy7cbwarMNxdycbE9bC8pbkwkOKNbMpUw/s1600/Levanter+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Levanter, Ramsbottom" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzhvMuCg4oq5PJkOqnF1-7LQ-Yi1_x6-DFIcVva97RZkMUatFlqsDHh9QJ11p6g5ImTvQI2CMhOXcbd5JR5PwZnHzw9kE9eW_Qi84t3C8P2IWy7cbwarMNxdycbE9bC8pbkwkOKNbMpUw/s1600/Levanter+1.png" title="Levanter, Ramsbottom" /></a></div>
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I will always over-order carbs. Every time. However, Levanter's sourdough comes with these nice salsa and oil/vinegar dipping pots, which made me feel continental rather than greedy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjb8axID_0UFN9JwDddPNUvhiIn7g5o8N0saZ1ikHzwYjpzkUArS-vDANwiZrV_CNG8KR_nJ0pyNJKhEWJJhduG-64sl1yg3UUGq8LH2uDWl0jVwSShC_5NonrmkC7m1N_ujKfMi2nKfQn/s1600/Levanter+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Levanter, Ramsbottom" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjb8axID_0UFN9JwDddPNUvhiIn7g5o8N0saZ1ikHzwYjpzkUArS-vDANwiZrV_CNG8KR_nJ0pyNJKhEWJJhduG-64sl1yg3UUGq8LH2uDWl0jVwSShC_5NonrmkC7m1N_ujKfMi2nKfQn/s1600/Levanter+3.png" title="Levanter, Ramsbottom" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yl1tmp-fEaTgj8w-CYtLnMWW3DkZbcst2zzyIepTRQdkg64KXjD5Tl9rPn7JeXBPVsnUgI6rR310IpCn5ivusBcwh7OXDz_slI1hN7u1YuW3qWuxCIM0-mC2BwVyQVR9Bru3k1cT4ll-/s1600/Levanter+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Levanter, Ramsbottom" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yl1tmp-fEaTgj8w-CYtLnMWW3DkZbcst2zzyIepTRQdkg64KXjD5Tl9rPn7JeXBPVsnUgI6rR310IpCn5ivusBcwh7OXDz_slI1hN7u1YuW3qWuxCIM0-mC2BwVyQVR9Bru3k1cT4ll-/s1600/Levanter+5.png" title="Levanter, Ramsbottom" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Garbanzos - chickpeas, spinach and egg with cumin seeds, garlic and breadcrumbs: </span>A festival of textures awaits in this dish. Not only is it packed with flavour, but the breadcrumbs and slightly toasted edges on the chickpeas gave a nice crunch too. Pop open that yolk!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIktGapztFGi_fgr_gbE5gceNNBOG_haUB5LNkxnKTejZXwsV3p6RquaNG1fUC2tn5MGgNnTBIPr4ovlUgTyKOg4lBV5vP3Pq5Ykpdvg-9MM6PN0DmsaDZrbiBh37FKT17woigvWSAdJBl/s1600/Levanter+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Levanter, Ramsbottom" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIktGapztFGi_fgr_gbE5gceNNBOG_haUB5LNkxnKTejZXwsV3p6RquaNG1fUC2tn5MGgNnTBIPr4ovlUgTyKOg4lBV5vP3Pq5Ykpdvg-9MM6PN0DmsaDZrbiBh37FKT17woigvWSAdJBl/s1600/Levanter+2.png" title="Levanter, Ramsbottom" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Rabo de Toro - ox tail braised in Rioja, served with tomatoes, celery, carrots, butter beans and garlic: </span>Star of the show. Beef in red wine will always be a hearty little number, but add in those smooth butter beans, which seem to have been steeped in the flavour of the dish, and it's sent to another stratosphere.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9HvaUuOX3mna_82_3Tj1eelSprE3SIh_Wgys2DHTAXhYzOxdQBY4romUK_U6r9V7TDxeapRl7vgqM5PmMfpFKyJnN0s9naT1IRaj0RBQC6k8E6ZqQEkPdb8yQNfMHigqRRnl1MRLcxsT/s1600/Levanter+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Levanter, Ramsbottom" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9HvaUuOX3mna_82_3Tj1eelSprE3SIh_Wgys2DHTAXhYzOxdQBY4romUK_U6r9V7TDxeapRl7vgqM5PmMfpFKyJnN0s9naT1IRaj0RBQC6k8E6ZqQEkPdb8yQNfMHigqRRnl1MRLcxsT/s1600/Levanter+4.png" title="Levanter, Ramsbottom" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Merluza Y Salsa de Tomate - Hake fillet seared on the plancha, with sun-dried tomato and anchovy salsa: </span>I'm not a fan of seafood but Phil is, so we always get at least one fish dish. He loved this one, which came served on a generous bed of salsa. This was a little too fishy for me, but even I loved the meaty hake.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudqq_mwqIc04kltgf71MBJtiDObhrb__kFq7tDvwO4dLbPQLq-ZTJGI67enWlBYDmKF7iA9sNkU2tfReunp4cHr3Way11wD5y76ixSKD1sf4aRPJrRmkBR2g6z8RV053hlPbqE3ZcKoKM/s1600/Levanter+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Levanter, Ramsbottom" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudqq_mwqIc04kltgf71MBJtiDObhrb__kFq7tDvwO4dLbPQLq-ZTJGI67enWlBYDmKF7iA9sNkU2tfReunp4cHr3Way11wD5y76ixSKD1sf4aRPJrRmkBR2g6z8RV053hlPbqE3ZcKoKM/s1600/Levanter+6.png" title="Levanter, Ramsbottom" /></a></div>
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It's always nice to have a ride out to Ramsbottom at the weekend, especially when wonderful food like this awaits. All the staff were warm and friendly, spoke about the dishes with some vigour, and seemed genuinely pleased to serve their guests. We got chatting to a nice couple who were sat next to us too, who were already planning their next trip, which would involve staying over and lots of wine! </div>
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Go here for a relaxed dining experience when you have lots of time. Do not rush this one. Your food comes when it's ready, so you could happily spend all afternoon here without even noticing the time. We're also plotting an evening trip, and a visit to sister restaurant Baratxuri. </div>
Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com010 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT, UK53.6482335 -2.318040200000041334.0925855 -43.626634200000041 73.203881500000008 38.990553799999958tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-25914721828770614712018-10-04T18:00:00.000+01:002018-10-04T18:00:00.320+01:00Mama Kelly, Amsterdam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvyzLcTwJcU9bPRkSkZoOyS6kCqa2mj221tjzkSMZFOJ96LRaFAln-3Rx1OkZmMu5KSXBcFDAfGqWJdA5g0rPPVRzaAu2oP4972kTimaCSGmkC6mDipfPmrKI-3NJU62rT-Tv_RJSAc4p/s1600/20800062_492684794429203_4886312554990863273_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvyzLcTwJcU9bPRkSkZoOyS6kCqa2mj221tjzkSMZFOJ96LRaFAln-3Rx1OkZmMu5KSXBcFDAfGqWJdA5g0rPPVRzaAu2oP4972kTimaCSGmkC6mDipfPmrKI-3NJU62rT-Tv_RJSAc4p/s200/20800062_492684794429203_4886312554990863273_n.jpg" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" width="200" /></a></div>
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Before we begin, channel your inner Pink Lady. You're a Mean Girl, and it is Wednesday. </div>
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When I researched where to go in Amsterdam, all the same places kept popping up, so much so that I felt like we were old friends by the time we left. Then I stumbled upon Mama Kelly, in a fluke that shall be from this moment forth, known as the biggest fluke of all time. Flukesville. Imagine my face when I came across the pictures below on Mama Kelly's Instagram. There shone a shiny pink demon. We were going.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSC4T5kvdK_XwOZbngaDgxgNY2TTSSBIcAhHu6QYG8iUTNOV0d_LIkNAfSvEXVEx9pJ0YRXe3DhRLd8FL5nqkeWtB4OFkeRD5_QFeC8ASDNASEg5Uz_iMRvvBIQzvqNxAJi8570OelKk_/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSC4T5kvdK_XwOZbngaDgxgNY2TTSSBIcAhHu6QYG8iUTNOV0d_LIkNAfSvEXVEx9pJ0YRXe3DhRLd8FL5nqkeWtB4OFkeRD5_QFeC8ASDNASEg5Uz_iMRvvBIQzvqNxAJi8570OelKk_/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+1.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures nicked from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mamakellyamsterdam/" target="_blank">Mama Kelly's Insta</a></td></tr>
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Powder pink booths, art deco style gold metalwork, golden pineapples and lobsters dotted around the gaff, and sumptuous cushions at every table. Walking through the door was definitely no disappointment. The whole restaurant shines pink. It felt very much like a homecoming.<br />
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Getting there was a bit odd. It absolutely lashed it down. Our plan of getting the tram to the other end of the city was utterly kiboshed, so we spent about 45 minutes stuck in traffic with a grumpy taxi driver. We pulled up at the Olympic Stadium, which was like a 1920s ghost town. It has a bit of an odd feeling about the place, mainly because it feels quite remote. Then there he was, a pink chap ready to welcome us in from the deluge. This pink palace welcomed us with open arms.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBW3-0-YCEbgAaZCfqpZ3MhVsumBidlhVmH9ZqFMK0vNUQZqCdKBRh__ioVkXTsGg__dTN-sv3t2hCaRd9Ohn3GdpNhXVb8wFWsWvOIocKEJDn4u3gramYkRem3Iohv3AR2ddbIwFcBpY/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBW3-0-YCEbgAaZCfqpZ3MhVsumBidlhVmH9ZqFMK0vNUQZqCdKBRh__ioVkXTsGg__dTN-sv3t2hCaRd9Ohn3GdpNhXVb8wFWsWvOIocKEJDn4u3gramYkRem3Iohv3AR2ddbIwFcBpY/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+2.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
Three floors of pure glamour await, which when juxtaposed with this odd building, makes you feel like you've just entered another universe.<br />
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There's this weird thing about Amsterdam. They don't do cocktails. If they do, you have a choice of three; dark and stormy, Aperol spritz or a Moscow mule. They were all rubbish. I can't even remember what we ordered at Mama Kelly, I just know they were pink and perfect in every way. First decent cocktail in weeks due to doom antibiotics. Worth the wait.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMW42ltbEMjO7B82omr-cg6DGXzVdZTYwAnmWeTm9HOTPZI5bK9lm4jel6menK9NPvmEtqgSFudmL7KRS9hebWobu3We2nYKXpv2uUpCe_cDUPX5suVlIAHoZ4ysUOLhKUsoZASjVb6Rgt/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMW42ltbEMjO7B82omr-cg6DGXzVdZTYwAnmWeTm9HOTPZI5bK9lm4jel6menK9NPvmEtqgSFudmL7KRS9hebWobu3We2nYKXpv2uUpCe_cDUPX5suVlIAHoZ4ysUOLhKUsoZASjVb6Rgt/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+3.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTGE_5YNQ28h84ZVvADyT2uWSrElZppvZ_ZIOMBPvsVQCey0DUAY12faH0RaPu0wtyG8OuDuXNaRnwDlPa2gwnYoJPA6EuF7N5EoBT4OyRfiGTVV9kbv01Xgf3_4hx287BRq45yCXpt3n/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTGE_5YNQ28h84ZVvADyT2uWSrElZppvZ_ZIOMBPvsVQCey0DUAY12faH0RaPu0wtyG8OuDuXNaRnwDlPa2gwnYoJPA6EuF7N5EoBT4OyRfiGTVV9kbv01Xgf3_4hx287BRq45yCXpt3n/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+4.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQXZPkin1M_U1SLrrU0NUNYQ7AikOCUk918zeMXP7Ju-2wbBUS-DNmY_rNahIntdRFpyFI51nV5MmVLpzpqSdQIJ3U4lUzUSZkac2T49KyaXOzgncYPnMg8xhOcPvRCtOFUdjgR8iHR-b/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQXZPkin1M_U1SLrrU0NUNYQ7AikOCUk918zeMXP7Ju-2wbBUS-DNmY_rNahIntdRFpyFI51nV5MmVLpzpqSdQIJ3U4lUzUSZkac2T49KyaXOzgncYPnMg8xhOcPvRCtOFUdjgR8iHR-b/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+5.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Burrata with avocado cream and country bread:</span> Ellie doesn't like cheese, except goat's cheese and halloumi. Hates cheese. Ordered burrata. Crisis averted! Even she agreed this was incredible. Soft cheese on a bed of whipped avocado cream, served with crunchy bread. Textures!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyN1e2CEUdIGEt7egVrvlQ5T6WiqgVtZioiFPIZhoiptEqR0EFkhW0I_5lnwbwveIPp1ufqYhi38IOUFJo5h7GUfSoCw_8igKYg2GVtMImX71rfTtT9dKCVK2LsiO4c6mPftE1XJYEyOq/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyN1e2CEUdIGEt7egVrvlQ5T6WiqgVtZioiFPIZhoiptEqR0EFkhW0I_5lnwbwveIPp1ufqYhi38IOUFJo5h7GUfSoCw_8igKYg2GVtMImX71rfTtT9dKCVK2LsiO4c6mPftE1XJYEyOq/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+6.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Halloumi served with roasted vegetables, peppers and green herbs: </span>An absolute delight. Thick chunks of halloumi with sweet vegetables. Not too heavy, whilst still being very satisfying indeed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSZ5ynoBLoR3so_yW3jSJCmPeFkJC2fSWRU-iCIN8I67UqWvukzXzYPR3rFvqH7Sw7FFvkO2311-cEZypSNH3TEjbrruMQ3c4RVi8dUQdpPD7BiNEgjKtaT7nRVLpsmCpcoVUcGY_KIFi/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSZ5ynoBLoR3so_yW3jSJCmPeFkJC2fSWRU-iCIN8I67UqWvukzXzYPR3rFvqH7Sw7FFvkO2311-cEZypSNH3TEjbrruMQ3c4RVi8dUQdpPD7BiNEgjKtaT7nRVLpsmCpcoVUcGY_KIFi/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+7.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Flat iron steak from the charcoal grill with beurre Café de Paris: </span>Wow. It looks like a decent steak, but was so much more. Served on a bed of sweet squash with onion seeds, its pink centre and sweet flavour were tantalising. Ate every single morsel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQjr_0HerrHpdwiwuHptbiuTi669iebISR1VlEsJV4H0oJt6iGo1ikoAvyKn6-PQWbNnHcqjnYjKGtTL-xZ-lAKNPzEExbJtm4e8yZrGsgLwgh3PqXc29-A9tDOnPNkWOz7woQy8ovnYV/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQjr_0HerrHpdwiwuHptbiuTi669iebISR1VlEsJV4H0oJt6iGo1ikoAvyKn6-PQWbNnHcqjnYjKGtTL-xZ-lAKNPzEExbJtm4e8yZrGsgLwgh3PqXc29-A9tDOnPNkWOz7woQy8ovnYV/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+8.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Lobster risotto - fresh lobster prepared in bisque:</span> Stand down, the claw is not in a shell. Turns out after an initial lack of clarity on the matter, Ellie very much enjoyed the lobster in this dish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZuMVbDDsYYcJ34JHIpy8A6W-GlgKUq8Ec4zqNwK6Af-rLPf4EJNJhVSqQHTpeyaebA024cm8u14ncklNNi_PrrmGjKsvCD4as_tuM8H1amBdLqftp5Yavz_yGKRhUnudp2brvUh1Jj41/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZuMVbDDsYYcJ34JHIpy8A6W-GlgKUq8Ec4zqNwK6Af-rLPf4EJNJhVSqQHTpeyaebA024cm8u14ncklNNi_PrrmGjKsvCD4as_tuM8H1amBdLqftp5Yavz_yGKRhUnudp2brvUh1Jj41/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+9.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Broccoli with fresh chilli and roasted almonds:</span> A rather lovely combination, which means I will want almonds with my little trees from this day forth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxB0SFdGhG8ZRGbOkMkf8laJcIEJ3zZnm4vT_rVqj3pGClWSu5FtMU7qxjDWGtahG7t7HClrwcm2U73tSuiJO_cZbxbS2tjJjZ0Z3TsbMXaeLl5DKW33BoHWYmnTe0qgoa8dqd_yf2PsY/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxB0SFdGhG8ZRGbOkMkf8laJcIEJ3zZnm4vT_rVqj3pGClWSu5FtMU7qxjDWGtahG7t7HClrwcm2U73tSuiJO_cZbxbS2tjJjZ0Z3TsbMXaeLl5DKW33BoHWYmnTe0qgoa8dqd_yf2PsY/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+10.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Homemade fries:</span> Look how crispy they are. Wonderfully golden and perfect with steak.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3wbHS6IQX22QJvhwSwziZco4UXq0JosYWNv_GYpznlpx3BojeOXBBZhH7-kAjrEHh-43FUs5_nKOvAgzS5HNZB9xCBcEGHNnf2xn3EnMDi29zr7nDoO6kAvDybHy7_6ecmfL-8_43tpo/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3wbHS6IQX22QJvhwSwziZco4UXq0JosYWNv_GYpznlpx3BojeOXBBZhH7-kAjrEHh-43FUs5_nKOvAgzS5HNZB9xCBcEGHNnf2xn3EnMDi29zr7nDoO6kAvDybHy7_6ecmfL-8_43tpo/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+11.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Blondie with caramel sauce and sea salt:</span> We were in no shape to be waving around dessert menus, yet here we were. Very rich as expected, the vanilla ice cream helped.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT4FFXSIkSgOHtZrMWk7_cOIFY6tP1XL2ss3JhREq7iigpovD-MKGmO9B1mphqUXBPMFrNLStO8_GG_N8NSJ2ayQjwFC9fTDHkUaS4UfUN7nsifAcuCgOS7cIw2YhN0gjLk76bz_brF6r/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT4FFXSIkSgOHtZrMWk7_cOIFY6tP1XL2ss3JhREq7iigpovD-MKGmO9B1mphqUXBPMFrNLStO8_GG_N8NSJ2ayQjwFC9fTDHkUaS4UfUN7nsifAcuCgOS7cIw2YhN0gjLk76bz_brF6r/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+12.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Sticky toffee date cake:</span> Looks very similar to sticky toffee pudding, but tasted and felt much more like parkin. Still great! I think it needed some ice cream to lighten it a little though.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4GgS9r2kOFdFX1gNGsPN0W_IWI-_9MVlSIArYRg_jUIsH74_o4YjRjKO38hPOQlUAmy_z62ZQdH5VppT1ZQUxKAFzkNopjcA1KxXEXFt-6PbF4weNz9dvR1a2eYCQyBmb1CganJ6kVio/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4GgS9r2kOFdFX1gNGsPN0W_IWI-_9MVlSIArYRg_jUIsH74_o4YjRjKO38hPOQlUAmy_z62ZQdH5VppT1ZQUxKAFzkNopjcA1KxXEXFt-6PbF4weNz9dvR1a2eYCQyBmb1CganJ6kVio/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+13.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
What a wonderfully strange experience in this pink wonderland! Go here for an evening of glamour, and food that will knock your pink socks off. And yes, I did wear an Amsterdam dress. Extra...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjHhF5QYTJkk4I2884zMTXxgr_MuROUO7O-QZ8k-U4sfbKqkllqcM6goDjCtkH5jOlgPRuZ-XndZ-KsOAsCoN3ENW-aYI5Rjdjt0DoyUF5IoEXPQsagsP5XQZRRDLigpZLeHpFR9_S7mD/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjHhF5QYTJkk4I2884zMTXxgr_MuROUO7O-QZ8k-U4sfbKqkllqcM6goDjCtkH5jOlgPRuZ-XndZ-KsOAsCoN3ENW-aYI5Rjdjt0DoyUF5IoEXPQsagsP5XQZRRDLigpZLeHpFR9_S7mD/s1600/Mama+Kelly%2527s+Amsterdam+14.png" title="Mama Kelly, Amsterdam" /></a></div>
Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0Olympisch Stadion 35, 1076 DE Amsterdam, Netherlands52.3423335 4.854399999999941432.7866765 -36.454194000000058 71.8979905 46.162993999999941tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-45616540616958258702018-10-02T19:30:00.000+01:002018-10-02T19:30:07.847+01:00Cinnamon Bun Bundt Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif25eam2uZZGMi6ydWd0Q5WqcE0bzw9L4d-YhPu6w1TnAnqL1WqfT8JUg78CtKErQ_Z-keK9GFYE-OYl2lGxsf5dxS2-zO7D6LDcyfqRojVI-dAMqBIBrtOUYY8hJQwF1B_T7l1gLbirXw/s1600/Cinnamon+Bun+Bundt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cinnamon Bun Bundt Cake" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif25eam2uZZGMi6ydWd0Q5WqcE0bzw9L4d-YhPu6w1TnAnqL1WqfT8JUg78CtKErQ_Z-keK9GFYE-OYl2lGxsf5dxS2-zO7D6LDcyfqRojVI-dAMqBIBrtOUYY8hJQwF1B_T7l1gLbirXw/s1600/Cinnamon+Bun+Bundt.png" title="Cinnamon Bun Bundt Cake" /></a></div>
Bundt challenge... yesss...<br />
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Roast club vibes were strong, and my friends had been watching Masterchef. It's quite the combination. Someone made cinnamon buns, and the cravings were real. I was promptly challenged to a cinnamon roll bundt. Now, in the interest of never making the same cake twice (and full transparency), some of you may recall a similar cake a few Christmases ago. This was going to be different.<br />
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The NutriBullet was out, and full on bundt witchcraft commenced. This wasn't going to be a cinnamon flavoured cake. I wanted it to be a cake, but taste like the breaded variety. The only way to achieve this is by putting the yeasted items in the cake. It works. The icing is excellent too! This is the best version of about five American recipes I mashed together, then tinkered with as a I made it. The browned butter makes all the difference. This is a trick I got from a friend who's a chef. Trust us.<br />
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Give this one a go over the colder months for instantly warmer cockles!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Ingredients:</span></b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li>225g butter</li>
<li>450g golden caster sugar</li>
<li>4 medium eggs</li>
<li>350g plain flour</li>
<li>1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda</li>
<li>1/2 tsp salt</li>
<li>250ml vanilla yogurt </li>
<li>3 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1 tsp mixed spice</li>
<li>5 tbsp demerara sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon mixed together</li>
<li>1 shop bought cinnamon bun (optional), whizzed to crumbs in a food processor.</li>
</ul>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Frosting:</span></b></div>
<ul>
<li>50g unsalted butter</li>
<li>120g full fat soft cheese</li>
<li>300g icing sugar</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>Enough full fat milk to achieve a spreadable consistency</li>
</ul>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Method:</span></b></span></span><br />
<ol>
<li>Preheat the oven to gas 3/160 C (150 C fan)</li>
<li>Grease and flour an average sized bundt tin of 10 cups/10 inch diameter or 2.4 litre capacity.</li>
<li>Cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.</li>
<li>Add the eggs one at a time on a low setting. You'll see the mix get noticeably fluffier.</li>
<li>In a separate bowl, measure out the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and spices.</li>
<li>Sift in 1/3 of the dry ingredients, followed by 1/2 of the yoghurt. Repeat until all the flour and yoghurt is used up. </li>
<li>Fold in the cinnamon bun crumbs.</li>
<li>Give it all a quick mix on a low speed for about 10 seconds, or until smooth.</li>
<li>Pour half the mix into a greased and floured tin, sprinkle over the demerara sugar mix, then top with the rest of the standard mix.</li>
<li>Bake in the centre of the oven for about 1 hour 15 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. </li>
<li>Leave the cake to cool for 10 minutes before removing from the tin.</li>
<li>Leave to cool fully.</li>
<li>To make the cream cheese frosting, first melt the butter over a gentle heat until it starts to brown slightly.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, whip the cream cheese with the vanilla extract until smooth. </li>
<li>Carefully pour in the melted butter, being extra careful as it is well hot!</li>
<li>Add the icing sugar a bit at a time, therefore avoiding a sugar style mushroom cloud. </li>
<li>This is the variable bit. You want your icing to be spreadable, but not runny. Just add enough milk to achieve that consistency.</li>
<li>Spread over the cake. If you are using the cinnamon bun tin, I found swirling over the shape of the buns with a teaspoon revealed the pretty design underneath. It works just as well on a standard bundt though.</li>
<li>Sprinkle with a little cinnamon.</li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Writers/Bakers</b>: Please respect the fact I am sharing my own ideas and basic recipe. Blood, sweat and many tears have gone into getting this right, so you may enjoy a perfect bundt. If you wish to re-blog a recipe from these variations, please credit my blog and link to this original post rather than pasting the recipe on your own page. </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Please see my Creative Commons Copyright information for more details. Thank you. </span></span></div>
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Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-65971878241341836932018-10-01T20:00:00.000+01:002018-10-01T20:00:02.022+01:00Wood, Manchester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRaM5ytrsjS-tf9xcR0hyXjAAK2h3QGeqKnqAMpl5JgNIHobR3zrHk7LK-OaAXm_BTpnhx9Ul-yK22EPfGZs_PHxSKdJySWmx5jz2XfsP1dXYTptJRTdWW5kXXr_6B_wegeVvRcb5kXTH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-01+at+09.25.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRaM5ytrsjS-tf9xcR0hyXjAAK2h3QGeqKnqAMpl5JgNIHobR3zrHk7LK-OaAXm_BTpnhx9Ul-yK22EPfGZs_PHxSKdJySWmx5jz2XfsP1dXYTptJRTdWW5kXXr_6B_wegeVvRcb5kXTH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-01+at+09.25.55.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
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The deal was sealed. Aidan Byrne was poorly, and Simon Wood stepped in to take his place at the Bolton Food and Drink Festival 'Sunday Club' event. I have much love for Aiden, but was thrilled to find out Simon would be joining the ever entertaining Andrew Nutter for some Sunday evening tomfoolery. And there it began. Turns out we became his biggest fans in the blink of an eye, and ended up devouring a Tomahawk at <a href="http://www.woodmanchester.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Wood</span></a> two days later. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIBgcayedL0Xbmda-egE75T5nM1aOVFJHct743stUEb_dve7uXjA-9buFGgRMUXmkwEBTBdzJbM3W-zSprC0aRS5t4Z1EgZiY5lqVaHm-XYHsnRoT8YvcXqKS9xeSM-8yYMdUw80Pyw5H/s1600/40269371_1920362917984432_7471813128628469760_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Food Festival " border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIBgcayedL0Xbmda-egE75T5nM1aOVFJHct743stUEb_dve7uXjA-9buFGgRMUXmkwEBTBdzJbM3W-zSprC0aRS5t4Z1EgZiY5lqVaHm-XYHsnRoT8YvcXqKS9xeSM-8yYMdUw80Pyw5H/s200/40269371_1920362917984432_7471813128628469760_o.jpg" title="Bolton Food Festival " width="200" /></a>Wood opened on Manchester's First Street site a sniff over a year ago, but I'm convinced that folk are not fully aware of its brilliance just yet, probably owing to the location. However, fellow new kids on the block <a href="https://www.bunnyjacksons.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Bunny Jackson's</span></a> and <a href="http://www.schoolforscandal.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">School for Scandal</span></a> are changing everything. I'm hoping that it's going to become a bit of an alternative playground for those who love a bit of decent music and good food.</div>
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Simon won Masterchef in 2015, opened Wood in August 2017, and bagged themselves an AA Rosette within a year. Then came plans for a second site in Chester's Indigo Hotel, and now Woodkraft is about to open in Cheltenham. Not bad really. There's no doubt that he's an extremely accomplished chef, but he's also a bloody nice fella too. And he likes metal. We like him. <br />
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He's not alone in this venture though. He managed to snaffle Mike Jennings as Head Chef, and has an excellent front of house team who make the experience even more pleasurable. I first met Mike when he was at Grenache, producing food that gave Salford a right kick up the backside. He's great.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vhToCqeZL3WYkDLj7_iDWCV30wl9MEwETB0gr9Jof2IwxGo_gy3wTwdCwd3BulNVpgQNPP2WtYqiekTlyNYNX4mAg_WvF4xJeMzR72Hg76P6iNRGCke3qzL6m3I05sqCRt527SDVOWPr/s1600/Wood+Manchester+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vhToCqeZL3WYkDLj7_iDWCV30wl9MEwETB0gr9Jof2IwxGo_gy3wTwdCwd3BulNVpgQNPP2WtYqiekTlyNYNX4mAg_WvF4xJeMzR72Hg76P6iNRGCke3qzL6m3I05sqCRt527SDVOWPr/s1600/Wood+Manchester+1.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
The styling of Wood is just beautiful, with nothing out of place and every item carefully considered. The kitchen is partially open, which allows nosy people like me to watch the chefs prepping those huge tomahawks. Makes you really hungry though. I suppose that's what starters are for!<br />
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I was on the antibiotics of doom at this point, so was sans alcohol, but our waitress (who clearly saw my anguish) quickly produced a mocktails list, and all was well. Phil opted for a nice glass of red, whilst we perused the menu, listening to The Pretty Reckless and Pvris. If you know, you know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrwKTyvDvrv5-VZDUkHrl82ddF0BL2MWfU-xrujbnbFiviluZaWD4ZRp8rCQH8ig5MpF7a8Q54DlF88KY3xdZYjycE7-ZFAlzbVZYX5qiNr2wYXIHGpyUtWHumPxw7F3IhgOW4U5x-p1o/s1600/Wood+Manchester+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrwKTyvDvrv5-VZDUkHrl82ddF0BL2MWfU-xrujbnbFiviluZaWD4ZRp8rCQH8ig5MpF7a8Q54DlF88KY3xdZYjycE7-ZFAlzbVZYX5qiNr2wYXIHGpyUtWHumPxw7F3IhgOW4U5x-p1o/s1600/Wood+Manchester+2.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
The scent of steak being very much real, we were thrilled at the arrival of some freshly baked bread and salted butter. Always start a decent meal with some interesting carbs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGh9aiOWO9MuHCEJDVW0UYTVn3Zi4FPyIj6ujXlxijPEb_6ruKnv68c6NdZOa2dAFdVGViCgw_shOPAYKbvTXFAlyGxRU_r_EA8x3iftTAq36qeHjbIpt3XrTYaD7B6y1VjsQLziDOgiD/s1600/Wood+Manchester+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGh9aiOWO9MuHCEJDVW0UYTVn3Zi4FPyIj6ujXlxijPEb_6ruKnv68c6NdZOa2dAFdVGViCgw_shOPAYKbvTXFAlyGxRU_r_EA8x3iftTAq36qeHjbIpt3XrTYaD7B6y1VjsQLziDOgiD/s1600/Wood+Manchester+3.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Pigeon, fig, endive and belazu lardon:</span> One of the best starters I have had in a long time. Crispy edges on that rich pigeon breast with the sweet fig neared levels of actual perfection.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3OKlhDE3VE5C3TOKc9Ebo_WkvoxfITha0eAf0pmCAqRU0pTKg1OFzwkDIM6xuii-PcQFPGbBlO-Xp36w-sjFaZl3C_APZgyxkgEzBrCUwYRRFTDKclIx7Jv8TTA9tUYcm00zB20y2BvC/s1600/Wood+Manchester+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3OKlhDE3VE5C3TOKc9Ebo_WkvoxfITha0eAf0pmCAqRU0pTKg1OFzwkDIM6xuii-PcQFPGbBlO-Xp36w-sjFaZl3C_APZgyxkgEzBrCUwYRRFTDKclIx7Jv8TTA9tUYcm00zB20y2BvC/s1600/Wood+Manchester+4.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> 82°C belly pork, cider, Granny Smith, sage and onion: </span>This was mentioned during Sunday Club, and had to be ordered. Phil's a massive fan of pork and crackling, so this was right up his street. Pared with tart Granny Smith apples, this is the culinary equivalent of a hug and a kiss.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnw038HIraRfgIFIfp3xCd_pApjP9YEOHqyjX8jah54Gg9Wfw_puxGo_-wmH0RngSaC6DGgdTvIyj0wLL3wV08Y-rtWU61-PxgZ_byqlpO_rfuBArN3r62LfI1H9X8RwF-bIoRiXNz9aHZ/s1600/Wood+Manchester+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnw038HIraRfgIFIfp3xCd_pApjP9YEOHqyjX8jah54Gg9Wfw_puxGo_-wmH0RngSaC6DGgdTvIyj0wLL3wV08Y-rtWU61-PxgZ_byqlpO_rfuBArN3r62LfI1H9X8RwF-bIoRiXNz9aHZ/s1600/Wood+Manchester+5.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Tomahawk to share with green peppercorn sauce: </span>The scale of it man. This bone in rib of beef makes me feel like a cave dwelling carnivore who will never be short of iron again. Granted, it is for two people, but it's still a fair 'un.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBg1WaViGCsZx7Co5E5hsgKs5kSBoaqF_VqRyRwreBxRHCoIR32hgfS1pLQAz1mnebWty7vTsyANOqTcZp6130pgXsiKtH94QxYk7tdyvLTmmRflNjfi6JVAJW0tm6o_ffexi1jaQDgO8Z/s1600/Wood+Manchester+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBg1WaViGCsZx7Co5E5hsgKs5kSBoaqF_VqRyRwreBxRHCoIR32hgfS1pLQAz1mnebWty7vTsyANOqTcZp6130pgXsiKtH94QxYk7tdyvLTmmRflNjfi6JVAJW0tm6o_ffexi1jaQDgO8Z/s1600/Wood+Manchester+6.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
Cooked to near witchcraft perfection, with a fragrant peppercorn sauce. Behold. I'm not saying anything else, because I've lost your attention to the pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHOuVE7JdT8qZed9sc-5hUCseppE_lENv3g6_uGf1MkQer1NRIubaAVovEK44sgmD-g5EGpa2jQ3uzrAjd4pwEE6sEEeQnYeUXeYB40xQqMCysGUJIYjM52nKWzbALEIzLcBqI5NM-5ZO/s1600/Wood+Manchester+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHOuVE7JdT8qZed9sc-5hUCseppE_lENv3g6_uGf1MkQer1NRIubaAVovEK44sgmD-g5EGpa2jQ3uzrAjd4pwEE6sEEeQnYeUXeYB40xQqMCysGUJIYjM52nKWzbALEIzLcBqI5NM-5ZO/s1600/Wood+Manchester+7.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAwtRLDq6KlN-G8ExpgiWdx4ZZ-uU8Iqp6382d4CUoeSQxUBNI1fNomG1og21s7TmfJ1Smq7sZ0XXBmganK73NIBFZGC6siCCe_n6m9eiyvOWmW_2GhX2VuZqD-6nLukVfXdfTj2SA2Xc/s1600/Wood+Manchester+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAwtRLDq6KlN-G8ExpgiWdx4ZZ-uU8Iqp6382d4CUoeSQxUBNI1fNomG1og21s7TmfJ1Smq7sZ0XXBmganK73NIBFZGC6siCCe_n6m9eiyvOWmW_2GhX2VuZqD-6nLukVfXdfTj2SA2Xc/s1600/Wood+Manchester+8.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Baby jackets and broccoli with black onion seeds: </span>Simplicity at its best. Soft potatoes with crispy, salty jackets, and crisp broccoli with sweet onion seeds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOXiIRYTxD4WOREZKz-brSz2qXiPD5FW5fPbrYS7_K9s6aXd6APUaTdDsWWqGZBfUzdb-slm_70aP3ID-mb-CWrLaf6Tek7rsNyXBNkRgbAhhrguW0Bs9H542Xkpw6-TlNka8HtNVVfGB/s1600/Wood+Manchester+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOXiIRYTxD4WOREZKz-brSz2qXiPD5FW5fPbrYS7_K9s6aXd6APUaTdDsWWqGZBfUzdb-slm_70aP3ID-mb-CWrLaf6Tek7rsNyXBNkRgbAhhrguW0Bs9H542Xkpw6-TlNka8HtNVVfGB/s1600/Wood+Manchester+9.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Citrus tutti frutti: </span>Lemon, lime, grapefruit and orange heaven. I always opt for berries rather than citrus, but this was fresh, light and an absolute delight. At this point in the meal, I could not fault a single thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa3P5OTBbcy3nuqWSexvxyKIMosvNesrWyANwFBw7vQTFY2mP8y3dUC77N12Gy7K23tqgCKfIzPjuvJFbQHz7PRGR9mkoSjjI7w1yxc99WJGSZGkNKo052aNXBP2VcyxnWenqihkMsY16/s1600/Wood+Manchester+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa3P5OTBbcy3nuqWSexvxyKIMosvNesrWyANwFBw7vQTFY2mP8y3dUC77N12Gy7K23tqgCKfIzPjuvJFbQHz7PRGR9mkoSjjI7w1yxc99WJGSZGkNKo052aNXBP2VcyxnWenqihkMsY16/s1600/Wood+Manchester+10.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Chocolate, espresso and salted caramel:</span> Surprisingly light as a feather, and not overpowered by the coffee.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7diLiHGbajVSaLjkIC5fHDlYujAMNRLd_CJMK1NKGdb11W1gu1hPDZlt9yHJLlrENiuzk_31946pFNZGUyKV2TEol0iVvYrogXstGZ54r2eX8EBB8CBDtCTuPAhLUBUFwF-CW4BYzv1bW/s1600/Wood+Manchester+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7diLiHGbajVSaLjkIC5fHDlYujAMNRLd_CJMK1NKGdb11W1gu1hPDZlt9yHJLlrENiuzk_31946pFNZGUyKV2TEol0iVvYrogXstGZ54r2eX8EBB8CBDtCTuPAhLUBUFwF-CW4BYzv1bW/s1600/Wood+Manchester+11.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Tea:</span> We needed the caffeine after all that food. Even the tea pot was cute.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEvtXACqpu_pMS7tbaqInMm-dCdJzuItJUkXl3iEKBjZYm1mH-dbcUo-XY1FqC9IsyaQsAtoBXhHk5HuBVSCmShU6S45NChxyno3KGd1p9qglPKa5R3ko90mZI4gjGgOoLR33gkuacKE5/s1600/Wood+Manchester+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wood, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEvtXACqpu_pMS7tbaqInMm-dCdJzuItJUkXl3iEKBjZYm1mH-dbcUo-XY1FqC9IsyaQsAtoBXhHk5HuBVSCmShU6S45NChxyno3KGd1p9qglPKa5R3ko90mZI4gjGgOoLR33gkuacKE5/s1600/Wood+Manchester+12.png" title="Wood, Manchester" /></a></div>
I will not have a bad word said about Simon, his team or his restaurants. I'll fight you. Admittedly, I just love eating out and trying new places. I will look for the positives over negatives every time, and always enter somewhere new expecting to love it. However, every so often I really fall in love. This is when outstanding food and service work in harmony, and I genuinely like the people running the show. Wood is firmly in this category.<br />
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Go to Wood for delicious food, warm service and great music!</div>
Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester M15 4RA, United Kingdom53.473583 -2.246018999999932927.951548499999998 -43.554612999999932 78.9956175 39.062575000000066tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-13781352595599224522018-10-01T17:47:00.000+01:002018-10-01T18:26:57.483+01:00Roast Club at The Cinnamons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPlI_AwETUdE4fgWAP5kMYi0FgbznIjshjFS3IXAP8bJUQ8-T31Ac_QThpSmVTaBVqPD522kPJ6Kbepe29c41lkCmLvbBmHgJeUcJLeFi0cTGRQmewg3bEbhtzEN7NSRqWn-d4fvs01Aa/s1600/Casa+Silcock+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roast Club" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPlI_AwETUdE4fgWAP5kMYi0FgbznIjshjFS3IXAP8bJUQ8-T31Ac_QThpSmVTaBVqPD522kPJ6Kbepe29c41lkCmLvbBmHgJeUcJLeFi0cTGRQmewg3bEbhtzEN7NSRqWn-d4fvs01Aa/s1600/Casa+Silcock+1.png" title="Roast Club" /></a></div>
I go to a lot of restaurants, and have done for years. One of my favourite meals is the classic Sunday roast with all the trimmings. The more trimmings, the better. Beef, chicken, lamb or pork, I'm not bothered. I just love that carb partnered meat fest.<br />
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I've written up a few really good ones recently, which got me thinking about this. My friends Wayne and Vicki do the best roast ever, so I'm going to tell you all about it. Their house isn't really called the Cinnamons either, but if it had a name, it would definitely be that. You can't go round for tea, because that would be well weird, but you can do your own version, and be jealous of me.<br />
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I'm not going to say much, but am going to expose you to some pictures which will make you angry that you were not there, and I was.<br />
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Vicki still basks in the glory of one of my favourite meals ever; french onion soup, then venison stew with shoestring fries. We had it the night before I flew to Mauritius to get married, but we won't judge it on that! It's still one of the happiest evenings of my whole life.<br />
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Both of them are excellent cooks, but Wayne takes the lead when it comes to roasts. He even used to have a legendary gravy pan, which has since bit the dust and been replaced with a newer version. Vicki rules the roost when it comes to sides (they never run out).<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Roast chicken: </span>The Gary Rhodes method I believe! Super moist and packed with herby flavours. Best roast chicken ever.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lHKvK9CCZQzgKsgdb7wySJR9PonlZ6Ejg_xBBxF7CiV5eV8_GUIbYcYhsMgmmO3Z10tPrgvNvRe3T-sR4C1hkb5VYQZ1YBzBGWli9u1FP5nC3HoKsyvHmhieyNo9fTF9MgwoiiIWmIWy/s1600/Casa+Silcock+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roast Club" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lHKvK9CCZQzgKsgdb7wySJR9PonlZ6Ejg_xBBxF7CiV5eV8_GUIbYcYhsMgmmO3Z10tPrgvNvRe3T-sR4C1hkb5VYQZ1YBzBGWli9u1FP5nC3HoKsyvHmhieyNo9fTF9MgwoiiIWmIWy/s1600/Casa+Silcock+2.png" title="Roast Club" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Yorkshires:</span> Soft on the bottom, fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside (bit like me...) Found myself thinking about these the following Tuesday afternoon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkgsEl4oJi2pZmCVYByFm2NRl8R47F_GJ8FXaOgoRcX6_KAAK2bEo-OwhfyHPtpu-Y-zNyBdIhaYN-hlTyV9tZgrRrG0KfOA9cO7f5_TQrlhdEo4COH3FsmWP13fsT7U6VfNnTxxKyIJc/s1600/Casa+Silcock+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roast Club" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkgsEl4oJi2pZmCVYByFm2NRl8R47F_GJ8FXaOgoRcX6_KAAK2bEo-OwhfyHPtpu-Y-zNyBdIhaYN-hlTyV9tZgrRrG0KfOA9cO7f5_TQrlhdEo4COH3FsmWP13fsT7U6VfNnTxxKyIJc/s1600/Casa+Silcock+3.png" title="Roast Club" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Roasties: </span>I am making myself angry now. They are so crisp. And not here now. They were great.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05ydFyD5r_CknkIrNCkltqOY95KaA9d5XlDg16fM5hDH-EOxEh0QITpDPyzLEjtMDNDkXXiXti4fUlubOPEbK0Qs0GKOdiJZKA4y_-bRQMSyh6_zMsS4iZTkzb1iXYqMkzQ9jP_A8jK_K/s1600/Casa+Silcock+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roast Club" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05ydFyD5r_CknkIrNCkltqOY95KaA9d5XlDg16fM5hDH-EOxEh0QITpDPyzLEjtMDNDkXXiXti4fUlubOPEbK0Qs0GKOdiJZKA4y_-bRQMSyh6_zMsS4iZTkzb1iXYqMkzQ9jP_A8jK_K/s1600/Casa+Silcock+4.png" title="Roast Club" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Cauliflower cheese: </span>And there we have it. Essential food group three is fully nailed, and even counts as one of your five a day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lm3JkmtJneyujRFhmoGLutc_BRgLX142g5j2zFxyM2gfeYqBurv9VJQp6DKcUqDiYM4rD1XUVnjPy2Z0ka2KVHR5BSdPAtIBxwm35ZKt1Ro5Dyry_LIwQrT3cABiKY9GoXD_1genuqcE/s1600/Casa+Silcock+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roast Club" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lm3JkmtJneyujRFhmoGLutc_BRgLX142g5j2zFxyM2gfeYqBurv9VJQp6DKcUqDiYM4rD1XUVnjPy2Z0ka2KVHR5BSdPAtIBxwm35ZKt1Ro5Dyry_LIwQrT3cABiKY9GoXD_1genuqcE/s1600/Casa+Silcock+5.png" title="Roast Club" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Veggies:</span> What makes vegetables even better? That's correct, the glisten of a tonne of butter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDceILzYPSdYY7pthJtsF6Pk-JiHFs5DUiy5ACayym5Jt-gf0BszBBiIpGyyn1SYijqogkwwyCmwpcEYoyDbYa4TD7eRHl0wgZEs6A05wFhY-fH_j0yWttt4ydr-s6daEypHN8BJiZuwVs/s1600/Casa+Silcock+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roast Club" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDceILzYPSdYY7pthJtsF6Pk-JiHFs5DUiy5ACayym5Jt-gf0BszBBiIpGyyn1SYijqogkwwyCmwpcEYoyDbYa4TD7eRHl0wgZEs6A05wFhY-fH_j0yWttt4ydr-s6daEypHN8BJiZuwVs/s1600/Casa+Silcock+6.png" title="Roast Club" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Stuffing: </span>I have a stuffing rule. Thou shalt not serve stuffing that looks wet, for it should have crispy edges. Nailed it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpjPMT9wq5Pd-K-eGmwkdHKmj6dsPYoXlFsuYZUQNQOVR8Mm1CNBzul7Cufdr1MUCn9ZcF9K2FkDbkzNkAB9F4QiVROSKB0N9UW5O74H2BP61RGKsSfRr6G6uGglTV-zx6BVCCb5YIGzo/s1600/Casa+Silcock+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roast Club" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpjPMT9wq5Pd-K-eGmwkdHKmj6dsPYoXlFsuYZUQNQOVR8Mm1CNBzul7Cufdr1MUCn9ZcF9K2FkDbkzNkAB9F4QiVROSKB0N9UW5O74H2BP61RGKsSfRr6G6uGglTV-zx6BVCCb5YIGzo/s1600/Casa+Silcock+8.png" title="Roast Club" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Gravy: </span>(Puts on Penny Lad's voice) Ooh, Wayne makes an excellent gravy! Rumour had it that he put prosecco in this one. I am literally shaking my head at how much I have annoyed myself writing this post. I laughed at the start about how jealous you would all be. Now I'm the one who's fuming.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yyi8tJOJt2CDy9D6u8BsMTYFYoE0TBmqt8FFZLoeqCz6eWNhGxCSoYiSrTsBVkB3X1diIiSZGFLMaJ6jvMhCmQFciT22nGzq3JGsq9YorEyCUk5gQFGbIORu0tezxwuFNYHZGN38cpBV/s1600/Casa+Silcock+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roast Club" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yyi8tJOJt2CDy9D6u8BsMTYFYoE0TBmqt8FFZLoeqCz6eWNhGxCSoYiSrTsBVkB3X1diIiSZGFLMaJ6jvMhCmQFciT22nGzq3JGsq9YorEyCUk5gQFGbIORu0tezxwuFNYHZGN38cpBV/s1600/Casa+Silcock+7.png" title="Roast Club" /></a></div>
The deal is, I provide pudding. It's what we do. Wayne had a right mouth for cinnamon buns, so challenged me to a bundt version. Tah dah!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcr9u5hDTndg0QimlWxu6srcBHc5JTMWBziUJ9tcEtNnmuW_qojBiwdsGEtZ7qS-cAZOKZJWRhnPDcfNFdAhgn3XoIBgwwsCanHH_agxVe77eqB0lI2gPag_XxpehoQUWQN63Oc36N7b4/s1600/Cinnamon+Bun+Bundt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cinnamon Bun Bundt" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcr9u5hDTndg0QimlWxu6srcBHc5JTMWBziUJ9tcEtNnmuW_qojBiwdsGEtZ7qS-cAZOKZJWRhnPDcfNFdAhgn3XoIBgwwsCanHH_agxVe77eqB0lI2gPag_XxpehoQUWQN63Oc36N7b4/s1600/Cinnamon+Bun+Bundt.png" title="Cinnamon Bun Bundt" /></a></div>
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Best bit about dessert? Matilda's first piece of bundt cake. She loved it and I will be eternally joyful when I think about the smile on her little face! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoCtDYtGWP5CblQS0PysUJdoBFRTAX7o9yDa9MI1gCX4MFqLCuFueC51KuplkYQOL9jHcHgKhgx3RfPCeyUDJ70zqVFA9pR1xUXGxdrhveJcePXDu1mOckY5HKSj5FBRinf544K63ZBB6/s1600/Casa+Silcock+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roast Club" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoCtDYtGWP5CblQS0PysUJdoBFRTAX7o9yDa9MI1gCX4MFqLCuFueC51KuplkYQOL9jHcHgKhgx3RfPCeyUDJ70zqVFA9pR1xUXGxdrhveJcePXDu1mOckY5HKSj5FBRinf544K63ZBB6/s1600/Casa+Silcock+9.png" title="Roast Club" /></a></div>
They are two of my favourite people in the whole world, and they made a mixture of both of them, so I obviously love Matilda more...<br />
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I can't wait for the day that one of them is on Masterchef, and I can say I knew them when they sat scoffing a Square Slice with us on a Friday night. Thank you for yet another wonderful night.Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0Wingates, Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 3QJ, UK53.559633 -2.523298999999951834.003978 -43.831892999999951 73.115287999999993 38.785295000000048tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-10457141449494867112018-09-29T18:21:00.000+01:002018-09-29T18:21:10.380+01:00Turtle Bay, Manchester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2niEPilSUZjENOUgpFdVALeZmRLgh2dCKhiMCPShOS7UJqanLYZ7r4u4oTeJzztPeWToQRltpsJZ3nOapmiHq_V53R_fa_rWsNQCl4MqjoqhVWPz93iTFA-lkrra5GmPdMNZ4pIwGebJr/s1600/turtle-bay-logo-x2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turtle Bay, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="520" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2niEPilSUZjENOUgpFdVALeZmRLgh2dCKhiMCPShOS7UJqanLYZ7r4u4oTeJzztPeWToQRltpsJZ3nOapmiHq_V53R_fa_rWsNQCl4MqjoqhVWPz93iTFA-lkrra5GmPdMNZ4pIwGebJr/s320/turtle-bay-logo-x2.png" title="Turtle Bay, Manchester" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.turtlebay.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Turtle Bay</span></a> is a place I associate with pre-gig cocktails and Highly Suspect excitement. I feel I need to explain that my excitement is not Highly Suspect, but rather they are one of my favourite bands who I happen to have seen a few times. Over-explanation over. They also have tremendous happy hours which means you are rarely without two cocktails in hand.<br />
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I was recently invited to try the food, so thought I would give it a whirl. Now imagine the scene, I had been cooped like a chicken for a week after having minor death in the form of gastroenteritis. I needed spice in my life, and some post-quarantine fresh air. It was like the planets had aligned.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1bZ3jfT5GNR5_gZngWzYpYQxtMxQ8cDA-DoRpvUrMyEPQRXXbahE-F1vk01oayLNUpOGrHnGhZdC85prBXL8wUIYyCosBle6ggwpmcjESCRRlf-tG5R0xrQkbg4_UtgAHp2ciWPXbzFi/s1600/Turtle+Bay+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turtle Bay, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1bZ3jfT5GNR5_gZngWzYpYQxtMxQ8cDA-DoRpvUrMyEPQRXXbahE-F1vk01oayLNUpOGrHnGhZdC85prBXL8wUIYyCosBle6ggwpmcjESCRRlf-tG5R0xrQkbg4_UtgAHp2ciWPXbzFi/s1600/Turtle+Bay+.png" title="Turtle Bay, Manchester" /></a></div>
We arrived on the wettest of days, the kind where your red ballet pumps are saturated within a few feet of walking, for example. Our chirpy waitress welcomed us in and quickly had a cocktail menu in our hands, and informed us that if she were to be an animal, she would most definitely be a loyal dog. Can't remember the context, but it went down well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SYpTbVFpHUGA8uDQn_2b7tnD_4phkHz8LsyylxE-WyuitatYMp17VQVitPJOJUbXrr0D_3KvzpAy1UuoiovLdTG8wqBHVpKYR0oI7WRfPwyCjASh-aogmUuHRnW1fVhjyVFRe2TkSjk0/s1600/Turtle+Bay+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turtle Bay, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SYpTbVFpHUGA8uDQn_2b7tnD_4phkHz8LsyylxE-WyuitatYMp17VQVitPJOJUbXrr0D_3KvzpAy1UuoiovLdTG8wqBHVpKYR0oI7WRfPwyCjASh-aogmUuHRnW1fVhjyVFRe2TkSjk0/s1600/Turtle+Bay+1.png" title="Turtle Bay, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Just jerk platter - marinated jerk wings, glazed pork ribs, beef patty, jerk chicken flatbread, sweet corn fritters and super green salad:</span> Massively indecisive when it came to starters, so we ordered a platter. Felt safe, but actually ended up ordering too much food, which is standard behaviour. Apologies for the strange orange glow on the photos, it's a very orange establishment!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsA7-IPWmOkr18rg9kdfEsW5LIuoH3dnyhk1bIilLz5ohWesD_LuXgU8T6_qI27No-a_e-xDxORt07VX1d92pW0w-kPrsVHF0doN35garDS2SLGES7D2ZnjGtqSnATMzofyOfPNNWXfbr/s1600/Turtle+Bay+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turtle Bay, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsA7-IPWmOkr18rg9kdfEsW5LIuoH3dnyhk1bIilLz5ohWesD_LuXgU8T6_qI27No-a_e-xDxORt07VX1d92pW0w-kPrsVHF0doN35garDS2SLGES7D2ZnjGtqSnATMzofyOfPNNWXfbr/s1600/Turtle+Bay+2.png" title="Turtle Bay, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Jerk sirloin steak - Prime cut aged sirloin steak, spicy jerk, coconut callaloo and spiced fries: </span>This picture is the equivalent of an intoxicated selfie after you looked a million dollars at the start of the evening. The steak was perfectly pink and the creamy coconut callaloo was the type of warming Autumnal fayre you crave in such dank conditions.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUk3hOo9lr6NslHHs-B93PAqE3aWqMpHea5XA4FrKZfAeYsHuIIrtuP-OtH0ucVekqqB8hB9ohQKtmUHc0ZJwQS3uRljWK-LbV32TFJnVsT03qHDfIGWdE4QveSCNUnCgGVZIbxq91WT8/s1600/Turtle+Bay+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turtle Bay, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUk3hOo9lr6NslHHs-B93PAqE3aWqMpHea5XA4FrKZfAeYsHuIIrtuP-OtH0ucVekqqB8hB9ohQKtmUHc0ZJwQS3uRljWK-LbV32TFJnVsT03qHDfIGWdE4QveSCNUnCgGVZIbxq91WT8/s1600/Turtle+Bay+3.png" title="Turtle Bay, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Goat curry - Rich and spicy curry, coconut rice ‘n’ peas, sweet plantain, dumplings: </span>Two people recommended this within 24 hours. Had to be done. A fairly mild curry with a sweet edge. Proper comfort food. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqiQJYm3GPREe2ISpxfNEyk9gkpb1e4PW8iBSuJ8bGVmKDecD6lb88xKNiRGxik9WK-DyMLIzs7vmbSv2tXlhMqOr1ctnFvLV05wJ-00HPS3KS4BIRAlf4Oxm-Ww4gaws03z1Re6xbx2N/s1600/Turtle+Bay+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turtle Bay, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqiQJYm3GPREe2ISpxfNEyk9gkpb1e4PW8iBSuJ8bGVmKDecD6lb88xKNiRGxik9WK-DyMLIzs7vmbSv2tXlhMqOr1ctnFvLV05wJ-00HPS3KS4BIRAlf4Oxm-Ww4gaws03z1Re6xbx2N/s1600/Turtle+Bay+4.png" title="Turtle Bay, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Sides - cheesy jerk sweet potato fries, grilled Halloumi, baba roti, and dirty curry fries:</span> Judge all you like, we ordered too many carbs, and set it off with a side of cheese. We were being encouraged by the manager, who clearly shared my hosting mantra of 'they shall leave dying and unable to move owing to the volume of carbs'. Also, if Halloumi is on there, it's getting ordered. Jerk Halloumi is excellent.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEIauBckB7Ld9stgN6Dvpi92PSTNPBQwl-bXAGC43GEXDXKVF9VWdmEhvR-ZbO2CSREpgTo7s0XuZwbIHLFknQwHhYVoK-6vMUHQI2aF8P0wLrTSgK8wM24n2HBPWAM5s_XoM0nO0oqme/s1600/Turtle+Bay+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turtle Bay, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEIauBckB7Ld9stgN6Dvpi92PSTNPBQwl-bXAGC43GEXDXKVF9VWdmEhvR-ZbO2CSREpgTo7s0XuZwbIHLFknQwHhYVoK-6vMUHQI2aF8P0wLrTSgK8wM24n2HBPWAM5s_XoM0nO0oqme/s1600/Turtle+Bay+5.png" title="Turtle Bay, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Passion pie - sweet pastry, zesty passion fruit curd, soft baked meringue, fresh passion fruit sauce:</span> Of course I had room for dessert. My ideal kind of pie, this is like the lemon meringue variety but with passionfruit. Perfect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLWucbC2oquNn7VkH-N9UMVGbvYFpwPNj5iVi53nZGnPxb_roj7xJo6VK3MH_y_e0NzdYXJPvACvcsLFvXu4U6qUq6lDhsregn0cVmGVmu1M9JvWmeecbSbiNzHqLeZNZnpHHU0yf4-gY/s1600/Turtle+Bay+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turtle Bay, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLWucbC2oquNn7VkH-N9UMVGbvYFpwPNj5iVi53nZGnPxb_roj7xJo6VK3MH_y_e0NzdYXJPvACvcsLFvXu4U6qUq6lDhsregn0cVmGVmu1M9JvWmeecbSbiNzHqLeZNZnpHHU0yf4-gY/s1600/Turtle+Bay+6.png" title="Turtle Bay, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Caymanas upside down rum cake - warm golden mellow rum cake, rum caramel and vanilla ice-cream:</span> Jeez Louise this was strong! Extra points for being baked bundt stylee, this light sponge was drenched in rum, which was just wonderful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX7EXitW_40bdOphIYkloO6MdUkPtE_PrN9VTAd5aCtVa1_XE2ArQ_7yEYVtXJJTVbxU0rvPfWJuaaApmGqlAGlApMVMEkvp4Iw2MREt4OkCNve68Crbv7e5iEpHAEwHEBUlbxeTWDsLh/s1600/Turtle+Bay+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turtle Bay, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX7EXitW_40bdOphIYkloO6MdUkPtE_PrN9VTAd5aCtVa1_XE2ArQ_7yEYVtXJJTVbxU0rvPfWJuaaApmGqlAGlApMVMEkvp4Iw2MREt4OkCNve68Crbv7e5iEpHAEwHEBUlbxeTWDsLh/s1600/Turtle+Bay+7.png" title="Turtle Bay, Manchester" /></a></div>
Rather pleasant afternoon. By the time we left we had guffawed with our waitress, had a chat with the manager about the ludicrous nature of him emigrating from California to Manchester, drunk some lovely cocktails, and suffered near gout levels of fullness. We had even managed to miss the rest of the rain.<br />
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Go here as a group for lots of buffet style food, for comforting one pots and grills, or just to take advantage of a great happy hour.<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: I was invited to review Turtle Bay, but put under no duress when it came to the nice words bit. I wasn't even drunk, and neither was the waitress who likened herself to a friendly dog. </span>Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com033-35 Oxford St, Manchester M1 4BH, UK53.4766213 -2.242667600000004333.9209603 -43.551261600000004 73.032282299999991 39.065926399999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-27761054803131141432018-09-24T18:49:00.001+01:002018-09-24T18:49:11.444+01:00Albatross and Arnold, Manchester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA_N4PnmPPRCL3uY-BigmlNmRf7jbeAgTkppm22ZaUKuCPUeYWx6wi7GGDRCzSBYjm5dCYT0geVUtezumlTHMrMBaj1C9bia2LFsPNYXNOJGFsgPG3dXBdccU0iTavLs6SdT88kXdt0pA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-24+at+17.45.19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="742" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA_N4PnmPPRCL3uY-BigmlNmRf7jbeAgTkppm22ZaUKuCPUeYWx6wi7GGDRCzSBYjm5dCYT0geVUtezumlTHMrMBaj1C9bia2LFsPNYXNOJGFsgPG3dXBdccU0iTavLs6SdT88kXdt0pA/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-09-24+at+17.45.19.png" title="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" width="320" /></a></div>
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A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited to the beautiful <a href="https://www.albatrossandarnold.uk.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Albatross & Arnold</span></a> for a bit of a mash up between their good selves and <a href="https://www.tappersgin.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Tappers Gin</span></a>. Nested above Beastro, Albatross & Arnold is a real hidden beauty with great views over the rest of Spinningfields. It has this wonderful modern Scandic meets classic art deco feel, with light wood, gleaming gold accessories and fresh flowers. It's my kind of place.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWPr4rJy8tVKqrMfSt9TnxnGa0Sz9vIx1Ukm1enR3qhRBWjC_HnJ6nmH6vbuBG4MCEn8s2ho5-marRDRsHzcGuWjpuDXd0UNUjU-5yVpJofoqUBADoryn7jAgh3t4dQyR2yBqJYC3wTCJ/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWPr4rJy8tVKqrMfSt9TnxnGa0Sz9vIx1Ukm1enR3qhRBWjC_HnJ6nmH6vbuBG4MCEn8s2ho5-marRDRsHzcGuWjpuDXd0UNUjU-5yVpJofoqUBADoryn7jAgh3t4dQyR2yBqJYC3wTCJ/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+1.png" title="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" /></a>Albatross & Arnold created a seven course tasting menu paired with Tappers Gin; a small family business making some of the most exquisite gins in rather decadent bottles. The whole event really was a feast for the senses, with careful consideration given to how the dishes and cocktails looked, smelled and tasted. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBehhGYoFErxBsPl4HV2RsFaqBSUHGH3mbz8r0eD1Lcxi5cYuXZjZsRbi3K8osy_x1uJEqlYPAdeynpkqOIW_ZWCCWWd9aYnKBTXhrs3hLXkT_11B8tFrdpOQNqwo0ZPj-OukWfPfc5vBG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-24+at+18.45.17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="597" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBehhGYoFErxBsPl4HV2RsFaqBSUHGH3mbz8r0eD1Lcxi5cYuXZjZsRbi3K8osy_x1uJEqlYPAdeynpkqOIW_ZWCCWWd9aYnKBTXhrs3hLXkT_11B8tFrdpOQNqwo0ZPj-OukWfPfc5vBG/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-24+at+18.45.17.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture shamelessly lifted from A&A's Instagram</td></tr>
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I've added a copy of the menu as I'm pretty sure that the pictures I took say it way better than my words ever could. Early disclaimer though, I forgot to photograph the melting middle chocolate pudding. Yes, I know, shoddy work whilst being too busy eating it! Trust me, it was good. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnJpvcjhg9nnfv5MZQy3D5zA5oEVufh53D_Nm4H7bjlUDCbR9QFSnoeufQTzdQHZnbPyjhKiG8YsvHAKeQ5JmrNhli9mYMqX43f3kzlnT3UaaVQunkdSsj76QUzzzpRJqETjzJI2wALBR/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-24+at+17.50.02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnJpvcjhg9nnfv5MZQy3D5zA5oEVufh53D_Nm4H7bjlUDCbR9QFSnoeufQTzdQHZnbPyjhKiG8YsvHAKeQ5JmrNhli9mYMqX43f3kzlnT3UaaVQunkdSsj76QUzzzpRJqETjzJI2wALBR/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-24+at+17.50.02.png" title="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" /></a></div>
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Before I start I wanted to go through the cocktails (mentioned in more detail on the menu above). Phil had to drink all of mine because I was on antibiotics of doom, which meant I couldn't as much as lick alcohol. He was suitably ruined the next day as a result. He gave every one his full approval, despite not being a usual fan of gin. What I can comment on was the presentation and (oh my word...) the smell of these. No fake essences, they were the real deal, and bursting with flavour. </div>
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Massive thanks to our waitress Charlie who was an absolute diamond all night. She made me non-alcoholic versions of these so I at least felt like I was playing out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ7D2zUGFvYwKhbDzsb6jSaagf_-uZ-MdoHnMj7rQBxHlyx8XQkiORF-7KcGa91HY1bgXCpMEA_LrTQ2AeNvtJpwrnezhYTRNtr-uQpLoIFje_TInjkMlvghfW5kA2dvSBjcC2q_E9zQX/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ7D2zUGFvYwKhbDzsb6jSaagf_-uZ-MdoHnMj7rQBxHlyx8XQkiORF-7KcGa91HY1bgXCpMEA_LrTQ2AeNvtJpwrnezhYTRNtr-uQpLoIFje_TInjkMlvghfW5kA2dvSBjcC2q_E9zQX/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+2.png" title="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Gin Cured Salmon, Tonic Foam </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwpEKfTkryL2r-LwRmXD52w4sF73w5dPDMD-w5SkaJdERuDDMO8HBd4t8P2lM8s8lPL0kE_ivW94XdmIXmLXtsLZz_UJC0MwOIJ8weV5ZIkZi-G7xKnuEz7K9pTot8g_OiPQQLypQlmJf/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwpEKfTkryL2r-LwRmXD52w4sF73w5dPDMD-w5SkaJdERuDDMO8HBd4t8P2lM8s8lPL0kE_ivW94XdmIXmLXtsLZz_UJC0MwOIJ8weV5ZIkZi-G7xKnuEz7K9pTot8g_OiPQQLypQlmJf/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+3.png" title="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> Razor Clam, Brown Crab, Samphire Mayonnaise, Sea Spray </span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc1zkTwjr0kEuYsYZ6CNiw7wMkJGkqfE-NIYopB-DlavWvFexfyw9AmeA4G4uZGq8hQmWHYvXkJBIKre6xmDeDiqv-UDx4pNbEpU2NR2d8_jKjSTg6XfBIC8fnVlCTe_GnUEul1EIJD5u/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc1zkTwjr0kEuYsYZ6CNiw7wMkJGkqfE-NIYopB-DlavWvFexfyw9AmeA4G4uZGq8hQmWHYvXkJBIKre6xmDeDiqv-UDx4pNbEpU2NR2d8_jKjSTg6XfBIC8fnVlCTe_GnUEul1EIJD5u/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+4.png" title="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Pidgeon, Hazelnuts, Horseradish, Gherkin: </span>I have to say, that this is one of the best things I have eaten in some time. I hate horseradish, but these meringues were quite subtle, and brought a little warmth to the dish. Trust in the chef. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRA4_qd6wpafW4vRzLhlg_456Wuxwf1tmOv1wP7F-ORzvb7CkpyIGwJvtEtfeutJwZ74WRw5iDDj3GDR6czqdN986sJlnjUnlGsHtOYfuwHJl1xoF9EPwUMk3gJN1W904e_tEC_QmIhzL/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRA4_qd6wpafW4vRzLhlg_456Wuxwf1tmOv1wP7F-ORzvb7CkpyIGwJvtEtfeutJwZ74WRw5iDDj3GDR6czqdN986sJlnjUnlGsHtOYfuwHJl1xoF9EPwUMk3gJN1W904e_tEC_QmIhzL/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+5.png" title="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Cod, Sea Aster, Samphire, Lemon Curd</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjc3Pwt21EqYeKr12X7C-eaUcQAYnaqhJXlaplgx2tb_0POk3TQYbStJarkKAI6gW9HOYghw4cm0dXZqlp-7CALJST9G1DvGLzG-EEGqBkRYOTEmbqZpstwOXLRv7pUteavuyMtvqYUhL/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjc3Pwt21EqYeKr12X7C-eaUcQAYnaqhJXlaplgx2tb_0POk3TQYbStJarkKAI6gW9HOYghw4cm0dXZqlp-7CALJST9G1DvGLzG-EEGqBkRYOTEmbqZpstwOXLRv7pUteavuyMtvqYUhL/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+6.png" title="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Duck, Orange, Elderflower: </span>Another truly outstanding dish. Perfectly cooked and absolutely packed with flavour. Real autumnal flavours coming from this plate of food. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxgjVyss_U-kUXPM6curB_6_RY3qK8IMeLbqHFpZSUMVCE44AS7En5UKVLJMgWPsVZcRAVQlvf5w3tfYKpuG76mVnKTAdwvPKM9rCXx6O8WgGltwX3rda7TcE6qekWaHCEGm2VN4j8tpN/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxgjVyss_U-kUXPM6curB_6_RY3qK8IMeLbqHFpZSUMVCE44AS7En5UKVLJMgWPsVZcRAVQlvf5w3tfYKpuG76mVnKTAdwvPKM9rCXx6O8WgGltwX3rda7TcE6qekWaHCEGm2VN4j8tpN/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+7.png" title="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Summer Fruit, Crumble, Cream: </span>Hands down one of the best desserts I've had in some time. Jo who was sat with us even ordered a second in lieu of chocolate pudding. Sterling work that Jo. Sweet yet tangy, with the perfect contrast of textures. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVhB8z2JupUaSP9KcsJh_gUnEG21bkaXuadbp7raGnXxa-Izb2aOBjqmAxnOrYwQlYuGSIpBfcxQ_pTKs-XN3EGL_zRYIlSK2NyajXAphMHr3nlhIGux_XydfTq2bjEjG2jx0cGV7aiSX/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVhB8z2JupUaSP9KcsJh_gUnEG21bkaXuadbp7raGnXxa-Izb2aOBjqmAxnOrYwQlYuGSIpBfcxQ_pTKs-XN3EGL_zRYIlSK2NyajXAphMHr3nlhIGux_XydfTq2bjEjG2jx0cGV7aiSX/s1600/Albatross+and+Arnold+8.png" title="Albatross and Arnold, Manchester" /></a></div>
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Chef Jonathan Green is a bit of a dark horse if you ask me. That dessert reminded me very much of something I ate at one of my favourite places, Northcote. It was no surprise to find out then, that Jonathan did a decent stint under Nigel and Lisa at that very restaurant, before becoming Head Chef at Tattu. Very wise appointment that one. Thoroughly nice chap too. </div>
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Go to Albatross & Arnold for beautifully crafted food without the formality. Service is professional yet friendly, and the surroundings are just beautiful. I can't wait to go back here when I can drink! </div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: I was invited to Albatross & Arnold to sample the food and drink as part of a special event. I was under no obligation to say nice things. I wasn't even drunk whenI told them how much I loved them... </span></div>
Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0New Ct St, Manchester M3 3AN, UK53.4809478 -2.253603600000019527.958913300000003 -43.562197600000019 79.0029823 39.05499039999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-19054416999937380692018-07-18T19:00:00.000+01:002018-07-18T19:00:05.440+01:00The Hinchcliffe, Hebden Bridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGY7cXpRvVYYdhEmzZ-ahg_LTQVFOex02qxY_2H9eAo6WcLX-Vpki_tUTugfzfHCZn-r_jqDQIQ_wKWpAROoFBLmst0GeW90vMgrMQPwGOmsglv1v_X3ilj177AWlgy4fHrvUDuhCmaEaa/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-09+at+15.40.46.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" border="0" data-original-height="118" data-original-width="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGY7cXpRvVYYdhEmzZ-ahg_LTQVFOex02qxY_2H9eAo6WcLX-Vpki_tUTugfzfHCZn-r_jqDQIQ_wKWpAROoFBLmst0GeW90vMgrMQPwGOmsglv1v_X3ilj177AWlgy4fHrvUDuhCmaEaa/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-09+at+15.40.46.png" title="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" /></a></div>
Some days are just perfect, aren't they? The sun was shining (again), and a day trip had been planned. Those tormenting pictures on <a href="https://thehinchliffe.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">The Hinchcliffe's</span></a> Instagram had finally taken their toll, and on a complete whim, we were booked in for a Sunday Roast.<br />
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The only slight spanner in the works to a delicious, carby roast was the glorious weather. It was redders. Alas, all was well when we arrived in picturesque Cragg Vale. The air-con had been pumping round the car with the fervency of a blast chiller, and we arrived to find the most idyllic outside terrace, which was covered in parasols to protect those with more sensitive skin than mine...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0l3U0xOnujL2FlX09tRMr6SzrViPue3Zz8p7LqNhLTpohVyL-JN-r_WxwvTpBwTkd7ofTKOu_pL5_rHD64LfD1rRsNSmI8-GFy-FaYDOeQrIMKSZy3_VFHiKWuylmv2LhKMIZjsLFuYP/s1600/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0l3U0xOnujL2FlX09tRMr6SzrViPue3Zz8p7LqNhLTpohVyL-JN-r_WxwvTpBwTkd7ofTKOu_pL5_rHD64LfD1rRsNSmI8-GFy-FaYDOeQrIMKSZy3_VFHiKWuylmv2LhKMIZjsLFuYP/s640/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+2.png" title="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture shamelessly lifted from The Hinchcliffe's <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thehinchliffe/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></td></tr>
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We were welcomed by the delightful Kit, who was also my favourite ever contestant on <a href="https://www.channel4.com/programmes/first-dates/on-demand/66298-011" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">First Dates</span></a>! He's a very funny chap who seems to thrive on friendly interaction. He can sit with us. All the staff at the Hinchcliffe were fantastic to be honest, especially our waitress who's name I didn't catch, but I do remember she was a fellow history graduate (geek 'fist bump').<br />
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Chef Rob Owen Brown was the chap who ran the Mark Addy in Salford, famed for its Manchester eggs, superb roasts, and sadly for getting flooded in 2014. With the River Irwell firmly behind him, Rob has picked one of the most beautiful locations in the country to set up shop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYqRhYKLyGr4q4kBJKSLKZG8vKidKZ52neoM-DT4SgIFk107IcuPTxyjJIpq2cSyN-G-65ABXUCl5ZuK2N93jaJo70XgRW0T24RL45rdkp7urE5wfzktBnW6n44LkECWHd0HurZMYUm6A/s1600/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYqRhYKLyGr4q4kBJKSLKZG8vKidKZ52neoM-DT4SgIFk107IcuPTxyjJIpq2cSyN-G-65ABXUCl5ZuK2N93jaJo70XgRW0T24RL45rdkp7urE5wfzktBnW6n44LkECWHd0HurZMYUm6A/s640/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+1.png" title="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Crispy black pudding potato cake, poached hen's egg, and a tangy tarragon butter sauce: </span>Fairly certain that eaten in any large quantity, that this sauce would surely kill you. It was rich and decadent, and the perfect mate for that tasty black pudding potato cake. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu7ushZ_AJFFBikXECtJP3Mx95u7Usb2098Qmnm_2QSE16iDlIAuNEyq2ymqa5eZJI_nNXL81ugGzuG_7SjEJ5Fu750KmRm_9LGOlgu_JwEBR5zUy4NeADEIjjUiBE4lWhyphenhyphenb7OqK3CeN4/s1600/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu7ushZ_AJFFBikXECtJP3Mx95u7Usb2098Qmnm_2QSE16iDlIAuNEyq2ymqa5eZJI_nNXL81ugGzuG_7SjEJ5Fu750KmRm_9LGOlgu_JwEBR5zUy4NeADEIjjUiBE4lWhyphenhyphenb7OqK3CeN4/s640/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+3.png" title="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" width="638" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Pressed ham hock terrine with onion relish:</span> Oh terrines, how I love thee. The perfect picnic style starter. The WI would pin a ribbon on that onion relish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38uLk8-x8gYg4qPm1W8mXoWbh7gcoF9SJCbTwtyzR7j48xSIgiHmTer57x68sxt3OqxDEbZ8KiAoQvUSRyrVgjCdovG50Kapd-MgBf7OtYaAbfgL9dtTTmEX4fxvoSdVP8pHh4o05hJuN/s1600/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38uLk8-x8gYg4qPm1W8mXoWbh7gcoF9SJCbTwtyzR7j48xSIgiHmTer57x68sxt3OqxDEbZ8KiAoQvUSRyrVgjCdovG50Kapd-MgBf7OtYaAbfgL9dtTTmEX4fxvoSdVP8pHh4o05hJuN/s640/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+4.png" title="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Sunday lunch sharing platter - local aged beef, free range poussin, locally reared pork, with stuffing, roast potatoes, vegetables, gravy and Yorkshire puddings: </span>I had to take several pictures to fit it in. Kind of regretted starters when it arrived, but then got far too involved in stuffing my face to care. I feel these pictures really do not do it justice. Behold! The only thing it was missing was some crackling.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oEaAM6wPTIBHEtL0lKjWS-yb7RffksE-iKHe4TRRpzRSu4Hz5EKOibRt12S9KZvbzo9OC-NxAHAO4vQtdBZtZVL_E_gKBREM85qMN_8Lt85i6SCRUfeTuwAaX1HSdRa2NoglX2-OtEsT/s1600/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oEaAM6wPTIBHEtL0lKjWS-yb7RffksE-iKHe4TRRpzRSu4Hz5EKOibRt12S9KZvbzo9OC-NxAHAO4vQtdBZtZVL_E_gKBREM85qMN_8Lt85i6SCRUfeTuwAaX1HSdRa2NoglX2-OtEsT/s640/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+6.png" title="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sZ_KTQxKvs1vFVP8qP14MI15-8b4T4KB2Ldtq-ZXIoBsMlWrC_SEu2ORtNyRyvkYZKe87Pv6F5wwvyy39kUvTggHHCWwCG_tPzdrtPoz84muwmG6CbGw6ZBEemFBpfnjNjEwW4v_1mIl/s1600/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sZ_KTQxKvs1vFVP8qP14MI15-8b4T4KB2Ldtq-ZXIoBsMlWrC_SEu2ORtNyRyvkYZKe87Pv6F5wwvyy39kUvTggHHCWwCG_tPzdrtPoz84muwmG6CbGw6ZBEemFBpfnjNjEwW4v_1mIl/s640/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+7.png" title="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" width="638" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9LoEcVDQCaXbdSLHU1iVMQfi6cjKX9UZrdv55NX_tcno-sGe1wux7p69Xg1K33hRJieVZx_2GI15PJxTdfy_qOt1SfxRL-qBHjC1W7qMNGXv0-03CdyrmvilnfV106H9DlcaTrY-1Wvy/s1600/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9LoEcVDQCaXbdSLHU1iVMQfi6cjKX9UZrdv55NX_tcno-sGe1wux7p69Xg1K33hRJieVZx_2GI15PJxTdfy_qOt1SfxRL-qBHjC1W7qMNGXv0-03CdyrmvilnfV106H9DlcaTrY-1Wvy/s640/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+8.png" title="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Banana bread with vanilla ice cream:</span> 'I'm not having a dessert' I bleated. However, after tasting the rest of the food, I felt I would have only completed half a job if I didn't sample baked goods. This looked really dark and rich like a sticky toffee pudding, but it was incredibly light. For those of you who hate bananas, me too, but when baked into a cake like this, they take on a whole new form. The same cannot be said for beetroot. Be warned.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhQneqbGybO1dvqXJTrn651OEBCLvjEQM56XRGSQk_m5M_QCpb3kRTuSVv0CyaQ41viP10mOgslGE2F-EjAQlI-Il2a9A74x_cDTLopezN4wU_TR0kGoAGzr9D14EcmMK_xpKzP2F_LXb/s1600/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhQneqbGybO1dvqXJTrn651OEBCLvjEQM56XRGSQk_m5M_QCpb3kRTuSVv0CyaQ41viP10mOgslGE2F-EjAQlI-Il2a9A74x_cDTLopezN4wU_TR0kGoAGzr9D14EcmMK_xpKzP2F_LXb/s640/The+Hinchcliffe+Arms+Hebden+5.png" title="The Hinchcliffe, Hebden" width="638" /></a></div>
We've already recommended The Hinchcliffe to pretty much everyone we have been in contact with since going; friends, family, the lady on the checkout at M&S... I can't wait to go back here in winter to experience the cosy pub side they have to offer.<br />
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Go here whatever the weather. It's peaceful and picturesque in the summer, and I imagine it's the cosiest fireside spot in winter. Either way, you're going to get great food and a warm welcome.<br />
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A couple of weeks later we went to see Rob at <a href="http://thebiggrilluk.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Big Grill Festival</span></a> at Burr's Country Park in Bury. He did not disappoint there either. I'll leave you with some pictures of another lovely day out. Let's make the most of this sunshine!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIIUq_63WKAeLh0S0rQVHiRZra53T4CVHhwj6ohLRTR1ChgVmbnVzsjxvdpVgGawMnCRkL4Y4Rw8bsry_WhW5PVgPf3kimSZk2o8FEA9Nf5PJOY5t-A2YAaJkIK8jpVhD4ZSpbcGHoHR1/s1600/The+Big+Grill+Manchester+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Big Grill Festival" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIIUq_63WKAeLh0S0rQVHiRZra53T4CVHhwj6ohLRTR1ChgVmbnVzsjxvdpVgGawMnCRkL4Y4Rw8bsry_WhW5PVgPf3kimSZk2o8FEA9Nf5PJOY5t-A2YAaJkIK8jpVhD4ZSpbcGHoHR1/s640/The+Big+Grill+Manchester+2.png" title="The Big Grill Festival" width="638" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9kNDAS0o3cpiUQZDFFLCazQDsVC3_nC80Cr02UYXMnvZklV__36SrPsYQ15NBpfhBep9CrBDa2b_vdUnOhoXhAP785KGV7DXJ9mFiwnZLnTDLvofhqnu8423ZdSyKP1I-H_hAd5CpLhI/s1600/The+Big+Grill+Manchester+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Big Grill Festival" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9kNDAS0o3cpiUQZDFFLCazQDsVC3_nC80Cr02UYXMnvZklV__36SrPsYQ15NBpfhBep9CrBDa2b_vdUnOhoXhAP785KGV7DXJ9mFiwnZLnTDLvofhqnu8423ZdSyKP1I-H_hAd5CpLhI/s640/The+Big+Grill+Manchester+1.png" title="The Big Grill Festival" width="638" /></a></div>
Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0Church Bank Ln, Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge HX7 5TA, UK53.7053409 -2.001179200000024134.1496744 -43.309773200000024 73.261007400000011 39.307414799999975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-87670916309168285942018-07-09T18:30:00.000+01:002018-07-09T18:30:03.773+01:00Mezzaluna, Whitefield<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreak9z75jdMQAqL_3AZBb7NxJ7RDwCL3yv9c8gHAejBLxgJZmWOnEtPk3U71CjHrb_wuhwW0q8KYq79LIfAJR1RvZVryXdu_qrMVazvXPqn1KfhaeRjXrrl45kPpXa0MvaEpLY0msr9YY/s1600/Mezzaluna+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mezzaluna, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreak9z75jdMQAqL_3AZBb7NxJ7RDwCL3yv9c8gHAejBLxgJZmWOnEtPk3U71CjHrb_wuhwW0q8KYq79LIfAJR1RvZVryXdu_qrMVazvXPqn1KfhaeRjXrrl45kPpXa0MvaEpLY0msr9YY/s1600/Mezzaluna+Logo.jpg" title="Mezzaluna, Whitefield" /></a></div>
Am I the only one who is desperate to eat outside when it's nice weather? Don't get me wrong, the current 'Hades' levels we are experiencing at the moment are even too much for me, but on this particular day it was about 23C, which is perfect. Then comes the question, where can we eat outside, which won't be full of Stella fuelled idiots with no tops on?<br />
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<a href="http://mezzalunarestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Mezzaluna</span></a> in Whitefield is a bit of a hidden gem on the al fresco dining front. I had no idea they had a beautiful garden, until we drove past and could see the doors open at the back. It was gorgeous. Picnic benches with optional parasols, pretty flowers, and food and drink flowing in the blazing sunshine.<br />
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My favourite type of food on a nice day is 'picky bits', and Mezzaluna was perfect for this. A pizza, sharing board, and chips appeared to be the perfect garden picnic on a warm day. Real picnics are a bit too much faff!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8BmvGNh1iPPOOxrrJaUFIBwKZeoNPz7JPGX62023HpLfpGAZmaFU7zKu4ms_EwKQCVVCRXsZ3kmPVm61v-NsxlGL8hlb9ou-aOEMcECp487fJnRKcHJOli9CiMfS9Fg22U7BhE_17P7m/s1600/Mezzaluna+Whitefield+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mezzaluna, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8BmvGNh1iPPOOxrrJaUFIBwKZeoNPz7JPGX62023HpLfpGAZmaFU7zKu4ms_EwKQCVVCRXsZ3kmPVm61v-NsxlGL8hlb9ou-aOEMcECp487fJnRKcHJOli9CiMfS9Fg22U7BhE_17P7m/s640/Mezzaluna+Whitefield+1.png" title="Mezzaluna, Whitefield" width="638" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Antipasti platter:</span> A selection of lovely strong cheeses, a full ball of mozzarella, continental meats, salad, olives, honey and bread. Now let me tell you, it turns out that mozzarella and honey are my new favourite thing. I may have recreated this in my own garden. Twice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xr7ZHPDXg5QvYv3apM0j-UEwmexbn1OTr1AEZv3xs4LwMbo4FueJGd1M63m8_zRYPl1qBiiO51pK2Zy0YTTREHDTOhjLGo_uR-bx2NM1GtgXU3UM3HSLWsFr7PZOiblgU5_-EkYdHGWp/s1600/Mezzaluna+Whitefield+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mezzaluna, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xr7ZHPDXg5QvYv3apM0j-UEwmexbn1OTr1AEZv3xs4LwMbo4FueJGd1M63m8_zRYPl1qBiiO51pK2Zy0YTTREHDTOhjLGo_uR-bx2NM1GtgXU3UM3HSLWsFr7PZOiblgU5_-EkYdHGWp/s640/Mezzaluna+Whitefield+2.png" title="Mezzaluna, Whitefield" width="638" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJtdsu43_KolfUz6DbRcMgIkEem7EZJzahnbBFMJKRuFhSWxKdtdWz5iFTf4J-oWWBEwQ9xs6JVYlIWfBnJggNN3ZkGUpFN2vHFWiUVBQK3u26qPR4c087p15nfhC6MZJ0ZYWw0M_jPB3/s1600/Mezzaluna+Whitefield+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mezzaluna, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJtdsu43_KolfUz6DbRcMgIkEem7EZJzahnbBFMJKRuFhSWxKdtdWz5iFTf4J-oWWBEwQ9xs6JVYlIWfBnJggNN3ZkGUpFN2vHFWiUVBQK3u26qPR4c087p15nfhC6MZJ0ZYWw0M_jPB3/s640/Mezzaluna+Whitefield+4.png" title="Mezzaluna, Whitefield" width="638" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Pizza with fennel sausage, broccoli and mushrooms:</span> Cannot for the life of me find this on the current menu, but noticed you can still build your own to this effect. Broccoli and sausage is such a wonderful combo that I have it wherever I go. If you've never tried it, I really must insist that you get your act together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4Rb5Nt2OOGlAKSMdLDGTPiCXi3wcAbdtROSumWoB-EHEFIaAozzboErDISzFoiATPmpx9VPJyV1hJfCGSUDXNaZtxNwl1InaaHeN6GyXto0NYlLGBhgfYdw_4yeAWWB1oUYaD4d7b8rA/s1600/Mezzaluna+Whitefield+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mezzaluna, Whitefield" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4Rb5Nt2OOGlAKSMdLDGTPiCXi3wcAbdtROSumWoB-EHEFIaAozzboErDISzFoiATPmpx9VPJyV1hJfCGSUDXNaZtxNwl1InaaHeN6GyXto0NYlLGBhgfYdw_4yeAWWB1oUYaD4d7b8rA/s640/Mezzaluna+Whitefield+3.png" title="Mezzaluna, Whitefield" width="638" /></a></div>
I kind of didn't want to tell you about this place, as it was serenely quiet in the midst of summer mayhem. Hidden away behind a busy road, this really is a little oasis for sunny days. Go here for a relaxed afternoon where you can pretend you're in the Mediterranean, not Manchester. Drink wine, eat some lovely food, and laugh with your nearest and dearest.Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0Bury New Rd, Whitefield, Manchester M45 7QX, UK53.5532216 -2.297465600000009528.0311871 -43.606059600000009 79.0752561 39.01112839999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-80523099530221291652018-07-06T18:00:00.000+01:002018-07-06T18:00:21.320+01:0080/20 Health Bar and Kitchen, Bolton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoy7A8Hyx8ls_n2jU2g9tyyHagwYKsKXDDhAesEdiDkUvqsFOfLAfRZNghmjZdZrcc7v3azFs4PQs_QncPjeIYkI6AfYiAfSVT06-xuA4-lULaLst5FB1u2XlH1kkfgztcVE67y-0t-sb/s1600/8020_logo_165x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="80/20 Health Bar and Kitchen, Bolton" border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="165" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoy7A8Hyx8ls_n2jU2g9tyyHagwYKsKXDDhAesEdiDkUvqsFOfLAfRZNghmjZdZrcc7v3azFs4PQs_QncPjeIYkI6AfYiAfSVT06-xuA4-lULaLst5FB1u2XlH1kkfgztcVE67y-0t-sb/s200/8020_logo_165x.jpg" title="80/20 Health Bar and Kitchen, Bolton" width="200" /></a></div>
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I am known for stuffing my face on a regular basis. My Instagram feed is quite frankly a disgrace, and shows quite clearly that I am Pig of the Week, every week. My friend Anna and I love nothing more than plotting a Great Escape from the office, which in the past was limited to Peckish Pony* or Frankie and Benny's unless we were willing to shlep further afield.</div>
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Then shone a shiny new kid on the block in the form of <a href="https://www.healthbarkitchen.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">80/20 Health Bar and Kitchen</span></a>. Owners Tahir and Mina took what was a wreck of a building where pigeons lived, and transformed it into a spacious and airy restaurant serving fresh, healthy food. We were in love! Their ethos is simple; 'nutritious, wholesome ingredients with freshly ground spices, bringing you deliciously healthy food in just 10 minutes', which is perfect when you're on your lunch break.</div>
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Whether you're a body builder, mobile worker, catching up with friends, or daft girls on lunch breaks, everyone is made welcome and we always have a nice chat with the staff, and have genuinely considered working from here ourselves. </div>
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It's a bit of a long standing joke, but we always have the same thing when we go. We just cannot deviate because we both love the dishes so much.</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Satay chicken with basmati rice, stir-fry vegetables and peanut satay sauce</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">CAL 562 | FAT 27g | S.FAT 11g | CARB 48g | PRO 24.5g</span></div>
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Anna's choice. A great mix of sweet and savoury, and very filling. This is a decent sized lunch, ideal for a crackers Zumba teacher who will be killing herself in a sweatbox later on that evening. Or indeed if she decides to sit on the couch and watch This is Us until the early hours. Whichever.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlOro0S-a3lFy998K9328djFpAtbIQ2cAF1nNH3vBRo47-tpbfErBojplXSkP2Q-l-LLFQaO4m9yPJGbpLdHQ2p5qsMP3wGaZ_KF2fYZR3RQQMOUgcjvNQXdXHAhyphenhyphenIhAp_Ercix_tnX3V/s1600/80%253A20+Bolton+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="80/20 Health Bar and Kitchen, Bolton" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlOro0S-a3lFy998K9328djFpAtbIQ2cAF1nNH3vBRo47-tpbfErBojplXSkP2Q-l-LLFQaO4m9yPJGbpLdHQ2p5qsMP3wGaZ_KF2fYZR3RQQMOUgcjvNQXdXHAhyphenhyphenIhAp_Ercix_tnX3V/s640/80%253A20+Bolton+1.png" title="80/20 Health Bar and Kitchen, Bolton" width="638" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Grilled halloumi wrap - slices of grilled halloumi with mixed salad and sweet chilli sauce with sweet potato fries</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">CAL 345 | FAT 14.5g | S.FAT 6g | CARB 33g | PRO 19g (not including fries)</span><br />
My choice, and actual heaven. One day I promise to try something different, but for now, I'm hooked. I cannot get enough of halloumi, so this is perfect for me. There isn't too much in the wrap, which would sky-rocket the calories and fat content, but there's enough to satisfy the craving. Lots of crunchy salad and a drizzle of sweet chilli sauce make it a little more substantial, plus I always order a side of sweet potato chips as a treat. They are so crispy and wonderful, without being saturated in grease. Makes me feel better about the Milkybar later.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GWliDVl1VlDGgIiPJNmyyg7eNqyPsyTGayqUecGvilBLmBfZIUklSpRNkQ5Wjep-YMz4vjAPklWi3v0aGKITM99FXfQY353EsoPN_URfk2deLkrKZRhOG0ON1xXakdD25a6uQjuroJux/s1600/80%253A20+Bolton+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="80/20 Health Bar and Kitchen, Bolton" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GWliDVl1VlDGgIiPJNmyyg7eNqyPsyTGayqUecGvilBLmBfZIUklSpRNkQ5Wjep-YMz4vjAPklWi3v0aGKITM99FXfQY353EsoPN_URfk2deLkrKZRhOG0ON1xXakdD25a6uQjuroJux/s1600/80%253A20+Bolton+2.png" title="80/20 Health Bar and Kitchen, Bolton" /></a></div>
We go here at least once a week because we can be back in work within 45 minutes if needed, and the food is delicious. The menus include nutritional information, and all meals are already hooked up to My Fitness Pal, so tracking your macros couldn't be easier. The breakfast menu looks rather exciting too, so I think I'll be making a trip for steak and eggs some time soon.<br />
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Go here for tasty yet healthy food, in a relaxed setting. Muscle vest optional.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">* Okay so it's actually the Hungry Horse, but we have literally never called it that.</span></div>
Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0362 Blackburn Rd, Bolton BL1 8NE, UK53.5962806 -2.431749928.0742461 -43.7403439 79.1183151 38.8768441tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-45356606229668239712018-07-04T19:43:00.002+01:002018-07-04T19:43:52.227+01:00Zumu, Hale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrXtLXU4xCnsAxt9sj4eV6GiYCBobbaphp5T6BWvLoJllFGTTjixi9RPFQXYzO0p69gcBJrplX6tY9-sy9iSCGVLSdim99eobvMBFGHnzC12EkNzY1sZdy9dUFq9LbIozYGU9Ug4nVZU7/s1600/zumu-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="288" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrXtLXU4xCnsAxt9sj4eV6GiYCBobbaphp5T6BWvLoJllFGTTjixi9RPFQXYzO0p69gcBJrplX6tY9-sy9iSCGVLSdim99eobvMBFGHnzC12EkNzY1sZdy9dUFq9LbIozYGU9Ug4nVZU7/s200/zumu-logo.png" title="Zumu, Hale" width="200" /></a></div>
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Every so often, everything is aligned just perfectly. A sunny day, a ride out to somewhere lovely, and amazing food. Oh and good dogs. A couple of weeks ago, we had a trip over to Hale to sample some Japanese food at <a href="http://zumuhale.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Zumu</span></a>. I have to admit I was rather excited about this review, as it was something a little bit different.</div>
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I'm sure it hasn't escaped your attention, but it is absolutely redders at the moment. The last thing I fancy in this weather is really stodgy, beige food, although it has to be noted that I am generally thrilled with this option any other time (caveat being yellow muck cooked straight from the freezer). Joy, happiness! The restaurant was cool and airy, we swiftly had iced drinks in hand, and were perusing a sizeable menu, where everything sounded exciting and delicious. We totally bottled it and asked for recommendations, which I think worked out just beautifully.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwO6BKV5G1VLc82SyP5jBdku1fEFZr9iVK8TluRKlBol5oZzq8b8DrWx22CMDbmOs9vTURmP7oT-uGb2gfb44dkpyBL9EliIBzZrXTtehsnp7Qq9xnnGgD2sDrFgnoQV2D5R65oKEqhSdG/s1600/Zumu+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwO6BKV5G1VLc82SyP5jBdku1fEFZr9iVK8TluRKlBol5oZzq8b8DrWx22CMDbmOs9vTURmP7oT-uGb2gfb44dkpyBL9EliIBzZrXTtehsnp7Qq9xnnGgD2sDrFgnoQV2D5R65oKEqhSdG/s640/Zumu+1.png" title="Zumu, Hale" width="640" /></a></div>
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For years I was a bit fish-phobic, but I'm much braver these days, and will try pretty much anything (except rabbit and beetroot, I don't eat pets or soil). Signature cocktail at the ready, and filled with bravery, I agreed to try one of the sushi platters as a 'side' whilst safely ordering some of my known favourites. We were talked into trying the Omakase mixed sushi and sashimi, which sounded like the best idea ever. </div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Omakase - Chef's selection of mixed sushi and sashimi: </span>The size of it. That right there is a thirty piece platter. The pictures look pretty, but this really is a showcase of colour, texture, and the chef's skill. It was like a fish carnival! I can't think of anywhere else that has served food which looks so fresh, and boasts such elegant simplicity. The sushi is made in full view at the back of the restaurant too. </div>
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My personal highlight was the Unagi Nigiri, which is delicately moulded sushi rice topped with delicately fragranced eel. Who would have thought it hey? Add a bit of that pickled ginger and you'll be delirious. I left the sashimi to Phil, as it turns out there is a limit to my fish tolerance. My attempt at raw salmon looked a little like a toddler eating lemon for the first time, or indeed me drinking beer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtl3-_KUHzj5lcnUoTjkXBKfaTpz9yZZ0muBFvO4j3aQWwZXih2WfxipRJcKicOIJjpAOFR79sLLinUdMFZ2pJHxyI8LnFhNMcyVbs1ceiiM9ziECqY4v563RaUJ9C2R3CSSHTIS9Rk2Y/s1600/Zumu+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtl3-_KUHzj5lcnUoTjkXBKfaTpz9yZZ0muBFvO4j3aQWwZXih2WfxipRJcKicOIJjpAOFR79sLLinUdMFZ2pJHxyI8LnFhNMcyVbs1ceiiM9ziECqY4v563RaUJ9C2R3CSSHTIS9Rk2Y/s1600/Zumu+11.png" title="Zumu, Hale" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Zumu Special - prawn, avocado, seared salmon, and teriyaki barbecue sauce:</span> This was our original choice which we thought had been replaced with the platter above. Surprise! So that's thirty pieces of mixed sushi and sashimi, then ten more pieces of the Zumu special. Needless to say, much of this was boxed up to take home. The crispy prawn inside these little rolls makes me question everything I know about fish. They were very nice indeed with that sticky teriyaki sauce, which just so happens to be my favourite. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1mdwfyfhNUBhfSRx3PcOclor0OJLHvNwuVkeFDh-OG7K-H-71nNDbDkq_P_QM742BUFhufBs739Uu8c-3NrVOzRxXVMgIFyR-ZPzlBsXDHXnJmc4w_fmd_yvymYQ86x-qkDFlm02aU6n/s1600/Zumu+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1mdwfyfhNUBhfSRx3PcOclor0OJLHvNwuVkeFDh-OG7K-H-71nNDbDkq_P_QM742BUFhufBs739Uu8c-3NrVOzRxXVMgIFyR-ZPzlBsXDHXnJmc4w_fmd_yvymYQ86x-qkDFlm02aU6n/s640/Zumu+4.png" title="Zumu, Hale" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Pork Gyoza - home-made ravioli dumplings filled with minced pork:</span> Oh the textures! A soft shell packed with firm pork dumpling mix, and pan fried for a crispy edge. All the umami in one soy dipped bite. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnbMaw-67nP2DzwclKu-zHZjto6LcfXv1rsbUOLeYG_PXJAJGr-Y_kna9MMK-abB6PAeDCoy6RDqmM_y9DFRaXRdlqyJ9-nB9pA6nwCwZKcE21RttRwu-KzLEg6PQuLRVG2EeMPhG3DqS/s1600/Zumu+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnbMaw-67nP2DzwclKu-zHZjto6LcfXv1rsbUOLeYG_PXJAJGr-Y_kna9MMK-abB6PAeDCoy6RDqmM_y9DFRaXRdlqyJ9-nB9pA6nwCwZKcE21RttRwu-KzLEg6PQuLRVG2EeMPhG3DqS/s640/Zumu+6.png" title="Zumu, Hale" width="638" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Satsumaimo - lightly seasoned sweet potato with salt and pepper:</span> Oh how we laugh now that we thought we needed to order sides. They were absolutely delicious though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBiFNrhIos5ZelCW66ZPAevpLgTHe5sfyqc1sU_kRyNz7FR7HkjxlujZOa2JUZvn6Qkg3t6Lr9eDgf1bgTW4DQF1JjoGMJ0lBxq7AMMZ5EMifFxv6x_1xZOhc0jvio-rLQ9EyXZG_rwEX/s1600/Zumu+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBiFNrhIos5ZelCW66ZPAevpLgTHe5sfyqc1sU_kRyNz7FR7HkjxlujZOa2JUZvn6Qkg3t6Lr9eDgf1bgTW4DQF1JjoGMJ0lBxq7AMMZ5EMifFxv6x_1xZOhc0jvio-rLQ9EyXZG_rwEX/s640/Zumu+2.png" title="Zumu, Hale" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Fried Rice -
fried rice topped with sesame seeds:</span> The perfect vehicle to mop up excess sticky sauce. I will come onto this in just a moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXSv8Z06EnvqSu4am9bUhtpMnuxw1LArEYmLagfYcciJuU54QPe6pCOtlsTrKCiA_uTAkFUdxilJk8CPjMs6hC6AE0mJoNcti8rz_AghHTUGBID9YhhGgjVHMKJeNNgt5Ym-ga1thgXie/s1600/Zumu+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXSv8Z06EnvqSu4am9bUhtpMnuxw1LArEYmLagfYcciJuU54QPe6pCOtlsTrKCiA_uTAkFUdxilJk8CPjMs6hC6AE0mJoNcti8rz_AghHTUGBID9YhhGgjVHMKJeNNgt5Ym-ga1thgXie/s640/Zumu+5.png" title="Zumu, Hale" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Teriyaki beef with kimchi: </span>Behold its shiny stickiness, glistening in the sunlight. I love teriyaki. It's sugary sweet, with a barbecued tang. I could eat this every day. Add some of that beautiful rice to the sauce and I'm in a very happy place indeed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgBgdDSfU_bNzXTWzotgVGfXp4CkCgQvXZWDKkwKMFaPmKqGLg7X09U9EzWOk9odF1kbcX7A2-nKbEzUqTH9ZGnLeWK4LJMHsokqED_qZAfsBcbo19XUGml0_kz6SdqwD9mMtCwiZs13b/s1600/Zumu+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgBgdDSfU_bNzXTWzotgVGfXp4CkCgQvXZWDKkwKMFaPmKqGLg7X09U9EzWOk9odF1kbcX7A2-nKbEzUqTH9ZGnLeWK4LJMHsokqED_qZAfsBcbo19XUGml0_kz6SdqwD9mMtCwiZs13b/s640/Zumu+7.png" title="Zumu, Hale" width="638" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Kamoniku - pan fried duck breast with cherry ponzu sauce and pak choi:</span> Another beautiful sauce with soft duck breast. Sweetness from the sauce and the duck, with a slight sourness from the cherry pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0j9v2Qmo5JmAXK8t0fcD5rN6_jA9oDhArvi5LeA5UvO5o4UdwlKnb-NQaRCNZHv2GO9iklDOod-EfxrYA3R8S-cyYw_Vg4GAtBK9y7xRwJSJ-Eg4VGSCT0SkMG6inmDMRyCMFU2XjfdV/s1600/Zumu+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0j9v2Qmo5JmAXK8t0fcD5rN6_jA9oDhArvi5LeA5UvO5o4UdwlKnb-NQaRCNZHv2GO9iklDOod-EfxrYA3R8S-cyYw_Vg4GAtBK9y7xRwJSJ-Eg4VGSCT0SkMG6inmDMRyCMFU2XjfdV/s640/Zumu+8.png" title="Zumu, Hale" width="638" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Dessert platter: </span>This was a rather delightful selection of macarons, mochi and ice creams. Again, I think the scale of this is lost in a photograph. Throughout our entire meal, the couple sat at the side of us appeared to be aghast at the beautiful food we had ordered. They were a little behind us in the ordering process, so had constant food envy until theirs arrived.<br />
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Another beautifully presented dish, with real thought into the flavours that made up the selection. We've had mochi (a Japanese rice cake made of mochigome, a short-grain japonica glutinous rice according to Wikipedia) before, and weren't overly thrilled (understatement of 2018) with its odd texture. We may have used a different word to describe it, albeit inappropriate here. This was so much better! No slime in sight, but be prepared for some epic brain freeze if you bite into them. Highlights were the coconut ice cream and chewy macarons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdRaGdNNQQzVUh3KhiYEwpC6xsdAbMm3IuAV9lJr_p3xi9kLBVocDOD0KVCV7dgIC0BcliandG7Wj15emmVuDPFL8EpFKbzLCPuVo6xkV-Q7I7jG92nhs6hSC6jWOJGiBGSwCOrJzho7D/s1600/Zumu+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdRaGdNNQQzVUh3KhiYEwpC6xsdAbMm3IuAV9lJr_p3xi9kLBVocDOD0KVCV7dgIC0BcliandG7Wj15emmVuDPFL8EpFKbzLCPuVo6xkV-Q7I7jG92nhs6hSC6jWOJGiBGSwCOrJzho7D/s640/Zumu+9.png" title="Zumu, Hale" width="638" /></a></div>
I knew this would come in handy one day... my glove box doubles up as a cooler at the flick of a switch. No-one wants car warmed sushi, or a car that smells like bin fish. Even the takeaway boxes were stylish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAugKzvB4AnnsMHADRF-YbkHzO3AaenbCBAViIUp3ZdXZOMrM6bJFC5RwRCROGfojm17e_BUYnR7egtWF8P59bykSliT0MMiBesKpE2-rwAQptaf0zmVEfpIwd1QAUEjZdromRhUer1I6/s1600/Zumu+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zumu, Hale" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAugKzvB4AnnsMHADRF-YbkHzO3AaenbCBAViIUp3ZdXZOMrM6bJFC5RwRCROGfojm17e_BUYnR7egtWF8P59bykSliT0MMiBesKpE2-rwAQptaf0zmVEfpIwd1QAUEjZdromRhUer1I6/s640/Zumu+10.png" title="Zumu, Hale" width="638" /></a></div>
What a wonderful experience. Yes, we appeared to have been served all the food in the world, but the lads on front of house seemed genuinely excited to showcase what they had to offer, and helped pick a wonderful selection of their best dishes. Everything we ate was fresh and beautifully presented, and displayed real craftsmanship. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="text-align: center;">Go here for a special meal in the evening, which will feel like a real treat, or opt for the lunch menu during the day if you're fancying something a bit different to a pub lunch. I really cannot say enough nice things about Zumu; both the food and staff were faultless. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: I was invited to review Zumu, despite being a self confessed ichthyophobic weirdo. I was under no obligation to say nice things, or indeed eat any fish whatsoever. I tried new things because the menu looked so inviting, which paid off!</span>Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0191 Ashley Rd, Hale, Altrincham WA15 9SQ, UK53.376919 -2.34541890000002727.8548845 -43.654012900000026 78.8989535 38.963175099999972tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-48953574780200145392018-06-09T14:32:00.002+01:002018-06-09T14:32:25.635+01:00Giveaway - Tickets to Manchester Eats Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn9ZdX6cfGJzj-EUpG3Khb07k0c000APBieI6o7L5SLumL0GyDjiVmQGaIqZ8-DpfxuTn8PXmMsF_KQXPYjIkPFu3LbXIL3qKtjj5HiTChNcRmQ039z00T79PdZU0b3pPQ_Le5D1FTlqt/s1600/ManchesterEats-Logo-LR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manchester Eats Festival" border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="387" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn9ZdX6cfGJzj-EUpG3Khb07k0c000APBieI6o7L5SLumL0GyDjiVmQGaIqZ8-DpfxuTn8PXmMsF_KQXPYjIkPFu3LbXIL3qKtjj5HiTChNcRmQ039z00T79PdZU0b3pPQ_Le5D1FTlqt/s320/ManchesterEats-Logo-LR.png" title="Manchester Eats Festival" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Tickets to Manchester Eats Up for Grabs!</span></b><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Your Chance to Win Passes for You and A Friend to Enjoy Fabulous Food at Heaton Park, Manchester this July</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UMPEMrCa3eQ/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UMPEMrCa3eQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I have joined forces with Manchester Eats Festival for a great giveaway to celebrate the inaugural event this year, which will see Manchester’s Heaton Park transformed into a food lovers’ paradise.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Festival will include talks and workshops from top celebrity chefs and mixologists, classes including vegan and vegetarian cooking, a chocolate masterclass and even cooking for kids. It will celebrate Manchester’s growing restaurant and bar sector, and its reputation as the food capital of the north. Guests will also have the chance to preview new recipes and exclusive tasty treats across areas including a prosecco tent, gin garden, global food court and a healthy living zone.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Official charity partners the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation will be providing an activity zone on both days with interactive, accessible sporting activities for both children and adults. The event also features a dedicated children’s village and live DJ.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">For your chance to win one of three pairs of tickets (for access on both the 7th and 8th July), simply complete the following:</span></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="3f2b064c32" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3f2b064c32/" id="rcwidget_sfkfk09p" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0Heaton Park Manchester, Middleton Rd, Manchester M25 2SW, UK53.5338542 -2.255157599999961328.0118197 -43.563751599999961 79.0558887 39.053436400000038tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-22729170933407687892018-05-31T20:28:00.004+01:002018-05-31T20:28:40.146+01:00Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire Dales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlO6F5LFQvJTDoojSG68XY_r3BrNd5P1kYpcl_6cSAogmLogRxiSnpA7XkAbwcG39c-N9Uk-11rgJDyEsmi72sNi18WY5kn1lEa1hUAgcu7Gw7Mp07emX7YWyks_ne6DPgjdieQYFP7eR/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlO6F5LFQvJTDoojSG68XY_r3BrNd5P1kYpcl_6cSAogmLogRxiSnpA7XkAbwcG39c-N9Uk-11rgJDyEsmi72sNi18WY5kn1lEa1hUAgcu7Gw7Mp07emX7YWyks_ne6DPgjdieQYFP7eR/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+Logo.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></div>
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I've found my happy place. This Bank Holiday weekend we took a trip to <a href="https://boltonabbey.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Bolton Abbey</span></a>, and it changed everything, even knocking Formby off the top spot. Fighting talk. I'm going to tell you a bit about it, but predominantly show you why.</div>
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I've started to write about places to visit as well as food, as this is the kind of stuff I do to make myself happy, and think it might bring the same happiness to others if they know about it, so here goes.</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">The scene:</span> Horwich is hotter than the surface of the sun. I'm cooped, like a chicken, in a coop.</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">The brief:</span> Somewhere to go for a nice walk, without hiking up mountains and dying in the process. Needs to be pretty, preferably with water nearby. Must not get stuck on the motorway for hours in Bank Holiday traffic.</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">The plan:</span> Set off for Bolton Abbey at around 9.30am, get there around 10.30am, have some breakfast, and go for a nice walk in the sunshine. </div>
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Let's go.</div>
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So as planned, we arrived at Bolton Abbey around 10.30am ready to bask in the glorious sunshine, and I'm kitted out in a flimsy flowery sun dress. It was brass! Clouds everywhere and a nippy breeze (disclaimer - most people would describe this temperature as 'comfortable'). However, it's okay because the next part of the plan is breakfast. I braved the elements and sat outside in the courtyard of <a href="https://boltonabbey.com/shop-eat/eat/tea-on-the-green/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Tea on the Green</span></a>, medicating the windchill with a cardigan whilst we fed sparrows on the sly. Tea helped.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-u9ODOA4t0uaKuh97ARLOr4_4-no1pIqT_0Al6R2VVkrPjdA2EQIHOhJ5xHJAWjXU58SHpUZ57BAi-GSKmqMHqVbVLVACQoava393Zbtly15KPFci3_gq2PKoCmoK_KRH6kVnMgPRcOK5/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-u9ODOA4t0uaKuh97ARLOr4_4-no1pIqT_0Al6R2VVkrPjdA2EQIHOhJ5xHJAWjXU58SHpUZ57BAi-GSKmqMHqVbVLVACQoava393Zbtly15KPFci3_gq2PKoCmoK_KRH6kVnMgPRcOK5/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+1.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></div>
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I'd looked at the Met Office app, and it promised the return of blazing sunshine from 11.30am and dead on cue, there it was! Cardigan off and topping up the tan within thirty seconds. </div>
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First up was a walk around the Priory church and ruins. Although there's a rather impressive church there, it's the ruins that steal the show. Magnificent in their decrepitude, they stand like ancient dinosaur bones, looking rather ornamental against the picturesque landscape beneath them. Genuinely wonderful. Even Henry VIII and his Reformation couldn't fully destroy this beautiful place.</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">History: </span>The land was gifted to the Augustinian canons by Alice de Rumilly in 1154. The canons lived and worshipped here until 1539 when the dissolution of the monasteries stripped the Priory of its assets. History lovers will enjoy the story of Prior Moone and how he negotiated with Cromwell to secure the nave as a place of worship for the local community and how the church continues to thrive to this day. (Source <a href="https://boltonabbey.com/">https://boltonabbey.com</a>). <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AZxOIuTFUYxQOxc2OVTj5jIcsIJxtzoeGcKotqqwLndCTtE0lp9d2KIqDgRuW3amq5nNmzAAdcWXGRecyhmn9X4UHHA1Uf6UGIiCeGLXVv2Q9m3DGxqwVKImutX9P7xUHWCDMHSfYcMD/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AZxOIuTFUYxQOxc2OVTj5jIcsIJxtzoeGcKotqqwLndCTtE0lp9d2KIqDgRuW3amq5nNmzAAdcWXGRecyhmn9X4UHHA1Uf6UGIiCeGLXVv2Q9m3DGxqwVKImutX9P7xUHWCDMHSfYcMD/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+6.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZkScAnazf-_zEV26o1WQjMc1wl9lIfDQlYMPrg3NGNHjwMaT65_Mrl8xhs1Hm3_YrJPSExj0aF-fkm5LxCnFsSKC17OeqZqa81XimwWC9xBnqcplLj5bqZXIAsKHW99aQgY8bgfyVUuw/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZkScAnazf-_zEV26o1WQjMc1wl9lIfDQlYMPrg3NGNHjwMaT65_Mrl8xhs1Hm3_YrJPSExj0aF-fkm5LxCnFsSKC17OeqZqa81XimwWC9xBnqcplLj5bqZXIAsKHW99aQgY8bgfyVUuw/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+7.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngCFQKLMOCl2JHQZphrlSlwZdcafVYSmepDkIXwEGt0wlTC0wNvSuC_z16xZKB-WrWMFAb5gY62cUEzf-ylOrYbLfoIqkG4NaO1_l4FCvz89jEPTSou4Wf072qxoLOnynMiejmVIwXsOB/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngCFQKLMOCl2JHQZphrlSlwZdcafVYSmepDkIXwEGt0wlTC0wNvSuC_z16xZKB-WrWMFAb5gY62cUEzf-ylOrYbLfoIqkG4NaO1_l4FCvz89jEPTSou4Wf072qxoLOnynMiejmVIwXsOB/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+11.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PQ_GNsTOPCvVi_Sa_EIqtzCt1_DtYbE7m7kq64i4WT44zyxlhq-MOd4TjTL5rZNlhzr-PBPzKSh_BDG5_BTDn1nhEQreQL4jnots-jvQqquBU9vCBQFFCY9BPcqjJFziFQ5r6EV7cIRX/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PQ_GNsTOPCvVi_Sa_EIqtzCt1_DtYbE7m7kq64i4WT44zyxlhq-MOd4TjTL5rZNlhzr-PBPzKSh_BDG5_BTDn1nhEQreQL4jnots-jvQqquBU9vCBQFFCY9BPcqjJFziFQ5r6EV7cIRX/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+10.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></div>
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With the sun now beating down, we went for a walk round the River Wharfe. It's pretty shallow so perfect for paddling, and has the most inviting stepping stones, which were originally the route the workers would have taken to the Priory. These days they are a bit of fun! Many of these poor souls were tempted into the drink by slippery feet, parents unbalancing their offspring in a misguided attempt to help them, or just sheer fear of falling in. One dad had accepted his fate and seemed to be permanently positioned in the river. </div>
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I didn't go on these as I would have been in that river within seconds. To quote Phil; 'I really want you to go on those stepping stones, and fall in!' I wasn't as keen on the prospect of a see through dress and wet ballet pumps! Logistical nightmare. That cool water did look very inviting though.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0eqjcbXfjYKTtWve8EHQTRd8ommrnsnXf1yKcjN5ZuTIfgjaZt961oiEM4eqfI6cVkPfDGfcFxD4AWlHPP5xdyYqtw8okJIhukhMspy0yGUp9u1XaSCuBQjA7VkbEl4u4fKELs6UmYc8/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0eqjcbXfjYKTtWve8EHQTRd8ommrnsnXf1yKcjN5ZuTIfgjaZt961oiEM4eqfI6cVkPfDGfcFxD4AWlHPP5xdyYqtw8okJIhukhMspy0yGUp9u1XaSCuBQjA7VkbEl4u4fKELs6UmYc8/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+4.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepping stones</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqUoQrX-xIgzxlUV3UOyqupnKqZMOOJwqxkjVoxoC9F624qAnJfE9KUhhfbKf0IH0y1p250YNVNxPHRSoAsiH0mbUEdq_GcXBDuX3WqqR8h6rrI0SmOGEGgfmCYm0fWPI1U-pZuoy7i4D/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqUoQrX-xIgzxlUV3UOyqupnKqZMOOJwqxkjVoxoC9F624qAnJfE9KUhhfbKf0IH0y1p250YNVNxPHRSoAsiH0mbUEdq_GcXBDuX3WqqR8h6rrI0SmOGEGgfmCYm0fWPI1U-pZuoy7i4D/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+5.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fella taking a dip or real life mermaid. You decide. </td></tr>
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Further up the river is the most beautiful pebble beach (there is sand at some points too). One family had completed life by taking a huge inflatable dinghy, which their dad was casually rowing down the river. Kids were skimming stones, picnics were in full swing, dogs were paddling, the sun was warm on my shoulders, and life was suddenly excellent.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4u8HrRvjeYA2DWLbX7Ksl-A-WjcTCfRqfVHoRxE4QpCBOiI0fVQ2VijYozVStAOBGIi3IPLeyvecD1Dc4LEYQqy-ZYlgcdyrwe5pKaqs2AvBcNU9sn36_BMzgSgC8A8w4UlcRupuC0xp/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4u8HrRvjeYA2DWLbX7Ksl-A-WjcTCfRqfVHoRxE4QpCBOiI0fVQ2VijYozVStAOBGIi3IPLeyvecD1Dc4LEYQqy-ZYlgcdyrwe5pKaqs2AvBcNU9sn36_BMzgSgC8A8w4UlcRupuC0xp/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+9.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lcyOY9Um2Q4Zx_ahl9kVvLXReKWrXsxQLUevmNtyj5RWxyY3I69M-bMmRhV1qMZd7UqFqqUUzZlLLNUMj9OFwTW0LKu_Vo11EFWPEIcVNdXrzcB6WDDv3MJGZZvLi7VChICWFYNI261X/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lcyOY9Um2Q4Zx_ahl9kVvLXReKWrXsxQLUevmNtyj5RWxyY3I69M-bMmRhV1qMZd7UqFqqUUzZlLLNUMj9OFwTW0LKu_Vo11EFWPEIcVNdXrzcB6WDDv3MJGZZvLi7VChICWFYNI261X/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+8.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></div>
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If you go the other way up the river, it's much quieter, and generally filled with adult groups playing quintessentially English lawn games, the odd cunningly concealed barbecue, swallows dancing over the water, and sheep seeking shade from the sun. Idyllic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRhNLxI3M8gk3S_ePcLQPX5V8ZHF8vcd8DVI-FpWPhfS_cje6P6zBFKCq7VvoWOEimLnlGMKlxMuWRy2nJ-h2dBkRn6C1qej27IcJUifO_OrVZnbExQgfs_rd4JhMUoxtvOOWnlS-LWwG/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRhNLxI3M8gk3S_ePcLQPX5V8ZHF8vcd8DVI-FpWPhfS_cje6P6zBFKCq7VvoWOEimLnlGMKlxMuWRy2nJ-h2dBkRn6C1qej27IcJUifO_OrVZnbExQgfs_rd4JhMUoxtvOOWnlS-LWwG/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+3.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwv7HjIXTJuZ_-MEXFn7VmigPYp6d6lqV6A9pxVQ_nfKEgvrzf5FLjGSEWlQYH8nYAdZVcmxrRRAD_We2xKUQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Before we left we sat in the tea cottage garden admiring a little chaffinch gathering grubs, and bees collecting pollen from the most beautiful flowers. Last stop was a lemon sorbet cone from the ice cream shop, before heading to Skipton for a wander round. It only takes about ten to fifteen minutes from Bolton Abbey, and was on our way home anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbouQbltYzIU-95u3Mb95kqgV2wCEDIdLyIOqmCHQq9xENjWGzADpz-dpCsv87RQ9cqhUJgMqH0Yf1ThpEYmwQoTKAHPdRKXuSqxWAXOPTlwdCYcQS7n4asL4rMDfh0jAP5crUxyF4qsz2/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bolton Abbey" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbouQbltYzIU-95u3Mb95kqgV2wCEDIdLyIOqmCHQq9xENjWGzADpz-dpCsv87RQ9cqhUJgMqH0Yf1ThpEYmwQoTKAHPdRKXuSqxWAXOPTlwdCYcQS7n4asL4rMDfh0jAP5crUxyF4qsz2/s1600/Bolton+Abbey+2.png" title="Bolton Abbey" /></a></div>
What an absolutely beautiful day, faultless in every way.<br />
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Go here for breathtaking scenery and happy times. Take your kids and dog if you have them, consider borrowing some if not. I would happily return here tomorrow and spend all day there. Pack a picnic and something to sit on, take some dry clothes and fall in the river, and talk to strangers like you've known them for years. It's such a happy place, I challenge you not to have a great time. </div>
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Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL, UK53.9837246 -1.888047099999994328.461690100000002 -43.196641099999994 79.5057591 39.420546900000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-7819250694405024652018-05-25T19:30:00.000+01:002018-05-25T19:30:02.104+01:00Big Gay Ice Cream, New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRl-beZiC_4sKXI_10gRrqI_JbrG6kBcHaWYvvQ_UQPA-uRjg1nWh7NJuif8bOhs33gw1TZfR9zAS9iaMYGfed9Cvp2xwuNwWMMstlle_OqALI5RZB66-ohIt_CCkppa8qqpIk21Wsm06S/s1600/28379538_10155457988901247_3301976007191447000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Big Gay Ice Cream, New York" border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRl-beZiC_4sKXI_10gRrqI_JbrG6kBcHaWYvvQ_UQPA-uRjg1nWh7NJuif8bOhs33gw1TZfR9zAS9iaMYGfed9Cvp2xwuNwWMMstlle_OqALI5RZB66-ohIt_CCkppa8qqpIk21Wsm06S/s1600/28379538_10155457988901247_3301976007191447000_n.jpg" title="Big Gay Ice Cream, New York" /></a></div>
I was once very close, yet so far... <a href="https://www.biggayicecream.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Big Gay Ice Cream</span></a> had previously been top trumped by a beer establishment... not today my friends! I had my sights on getting back to that unicorn window sticker, and getting me some soft serve, god-dammit!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtsed3SG04TVM-t5ohZUvlkPZ4zqeYQuZacKyMDr5iEB0BFSPSzVQNrOjOIaTFWstkwxMNNAjRO2TSJqviGK0PWM6KlpOnkU0i-AZTCINwI3qmrFZ2t4lmy4pcNZlp8IJ6eIzn6lbP22w/s1600/Big+Gay+Ice+Cream+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Big Gay Ice Cream, New York" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtsed3SG04TVM-t5ohZUvlkPZ4zqeYQuZacKyMDr5iEB0BFSPSzVQNrOjOIaTFWstkwxMNNAjRO2TSJqviGK0PWM6KlpOnkU0i-AZTCINwI3qmrFZ2t4lmy4pcNZlp8IJ6eIzn6lbP22w/s640/Big+Gay+Ice+Cream+2.png" title="Big Gay Ice Cream, New York" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm here! With the unicorn!</td></tr>
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We picked the best day to mooch around Greenwich Village. It was hot, we had walked about a million miles around the Highline, petted dogs in Washington Park, gone miles out of our way to find bundt pans, carried them round in the baking heat, drunk a fishbowl cocktail with dry ice, eaten pizza, then landed at Big Gay Ice Cream. It had been quite the day. It was time to sit in a park with ice creams and people watch for a bit.</div>
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From this day forth, I don't want to know about ice cream cones that don't have a protective cover and drip catcher. No sticky paws here (Ellie was a different story). </div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Salty Pimp:</span> Vanilla soft serve injected with dulce de leche and dipped in salted caramel chocolate (which sets). It's like a mix between a Mr Whippy and a really refined choc ice, where the chocolate doesn't stick to your teeth, and the ice cream isn't made from powder. Not my usual choice, but when in New York...</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Rocky Roadhouse:</span> Chocolate ice cream, toasted almonds, marshmallows and melty chocolate morsels: It's like a cold, chocolate Christmas tree. I'd say most people around us were snaffling these.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZgAfCXbOLq0vGuDvbi6CQlIWGpvsFkhrTRbz4Aj_TUZUmJBaHZbI-2cmiHq5A-ZChu684ps-nBmzv2SbhCFqF5IEM9Mhn_K1MGkIdFxRD8pSLxsYJ7QKU1NjpIj-rEAuFvvEKZe8Ov0s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-05-25+at+15.25.12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Big Gay Ice Cream, New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZgAfCXbOLq0vGuDvbi6CQlIWGpvsFkhrTRbz4Aj_TUZUmJBaHZbI-2cmiHq5A-ZChu684ps-nBmzv2SbhCFqF5IEM9Mhn_K1MGkIdFxRD8pSLxsYJ7QKU1NjpIj-rEAuFvvEKZe8Ov0s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-05-25+at+15.25.12.png" title="Big Gay Ice Cream, New York" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8SAq3m2d1nLx6kukMyMOKnByygzSgCRTkuqNPvKCa1Ityj6PN0RYk5wRNWrB7Sxq0ioksbZnDZYFnOWkHRg5m6JBfZokwNKzy-v3r20-vdlvaxQ8x9kw0r4yyEhVRIY2gifUCvfpFGOe/s1600/Big+Gay+Ice+Cream+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Big Gay Ice Cream, New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8SAq3m2d1nLx6kukMyMOKnByygzSgCRTkuqNPvKCa1Ityj6PN0RYk5wRNWrB7Sxq0ioksbZnDZYFnOWkHRg5m6JBfZokwNKzy-v3r20-vdlvaxQ8x9kw0r4yyEhVRIY2gifUCvfpFGOe/s640/Big+Gay+Ice+Cream+3.png" title="Big Gay Ice Cream, New York" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at it glisten... </td></tr>
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We were so lucky to eat these sat in the sun. If we had been in Bolton we would have been wearing drips of it down our tops, and be swarmed by wasps. Greenwich Village is such a beautiful place on a lovely day.Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com061 Grove St, New York, NY 10014, USA40.733262 -74.00324760000000915.211227500000003 -115.31184160000001 66.2552965 -32.694653600000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-65228100056722910082018-05-25T18:30:00.000+01:002018-05-25T18:30:03.364+01:00Hooters, New York - Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mnk-cusb6QIa2gEv5DjgGQM51Lsd3UByRrgiTx-5y-LHkH17Xq24rIJhJ1kuHXvnl5iDYzhH3ajOdDRBmj6VMuoXB5F08CX-RCCdAxuZLEntxTo4nex0sETC393fx64FG5nKtXfU0_By/s1600/Hooters+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hooters, New York" border="0" data-original-height="81" data-original-width="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mnk-cusb6QIa2gEv5DjgGQM51Lsd3UByRrgiTx-5y-LHkH17Xq24rIJhJ1kuHXvnl5iDYzhH3ajOdDRBmj6VMuoXB5F08CX-RCCdAxuZLEntxTo4nex0sETC393fx64FG5nKtXfU0_By/s1600/Hooters+Logo.png" title="Hooters, New York" /></a></div>
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I'm making a pledge now, I will never go to a city with a <a href="https://www.hooters.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Hooters</span></a>, without going to sample their melted jalapeno cheese. Never. </div>
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It started in <a href="http://www.dollybakes.co.uk/2012/10/HootersLasVegas.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Vegas</span></a> when I declared the burgers there the 'best ever', then there was the first trip to the <a href="http://www.dollybakes.co.uk/2014/05/hooters-new-york.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">New York</span></a> gaff. I even bought a t-shirt last time I went, but decided never to wear it as Trading Standards would be hauling my ass in. I'm more than ok with that tee not fitting though, because I've never missed a bus in my life. There are many 'perks' to having smaller boobs! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFp9FM6v9aglxmr49TCPKhQnv2hXRASOGnpt3-Fd2eQGIgiL0W_UkUoNQDYIUop4Hn5qTTGl8AKlWVcYi2sFfeyHdLXwxmgQEnT_8Yfcu5MH2Dqfyur3mTtALSA52WBF43Ia406xRxMXB0/s1600/Hooters+NYC+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hooters, New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFp9FM6v9aglxmr49TCPKhQnv2hXRASOGnpt3-Fd2eQGIgiL0W_UkUoNQDYIUop4Hn5qTTGl8AKlWVcYi2sFfeyHdLXwxmgQEnT_8Yfcu5MH2Dqfyur3mTtALSA52WBF43Ia406xRxMXB0/s640/Hooters+NYC+7.png" style="cursor: move;" title="Hooters, New York" width="639" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For when there's not enough make up in the world... there are always cocktails!</td></tr>
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By the time we were mooching about in New York, we had been awake for over 24 hours. We had endured a seven hour flight, lots of diazepam, sorted a hotel room drama, got massively upgraded and showered with free stuff, managed to get changed, and still found ourselves pondering which cocktail we would have first! Warriors.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcSjmU5uncGugqzRoz4gWKR1VQ0jQrc1cxZkakE9X5JuyVku0DX1jZv9bzWyb6bMsuZvo68tuqF2tipEDPWOZCqjktxtajfY58s54CP8s6KXj3Dp6VpT5khldkbJk4lWc6Kc3HehMJyn0/s1600/Hooters+NYC+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hooters, New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcSjmU5uncGugqzRoz4gWKR1VQ0jQrc1cxZkakE9X5JuyVku0DX1jZv9bzWyb6bMsuZvo68tuqF2tipEDPWOZCqjktxtajfY58s54CP8s6KXj3Dp6VpT5khldkbJk4lWc6Kc3HehMJyn0/s640/Hooters+NYC+1.png" title="Hooters, New York" width="638" /></a></div>
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There it was... the familiar sight of the illuminated Hooters sign. It had moved since I last visited the city, so it was like a sampling a completely different restaurant. We were met by the loveliest chap who was managing front of house. He asked us to take a seat in the bar whilst he sorted our table. He knew we were both celebrating, so got us the best table with an amazing view of Manhattan by night. We were really in New York! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvEP4031PdraZP6dhbsAvu9Fwl9ri7M6ZhLB9HhAyWKG2rKvW8meR2Jk8ZyyNu6F00IjM-vrhxfywC_QKTmseH_I1XiN7bNkTrtqblIgW27lwaecwykHGpVl1Kf-dxo0CGuHqFt3MlnhD/s1600/Hooters+NYC+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hooters, New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvEP4031PdraZP6dhbsAvu9Fwl9ri7M6ZhLB9HhAyWKG2rKvW8meR2Jk8ZyyNu6F00IjM-vrhxfywC_QKTmseH_I1XiN7bNkTrtqblIgW27lwaecwykHGpVl1Kf-dxo0CGuHqFt3MlnhD/s640/Hooters+NYC+2.png" title="Hooters, New York" width="638" /></a></div>
For those of you who think Hooters is a seedy gaff with scantily clad girls with their boobs in your face, it is not. It's essentially a sports bar where you can get huge pitchers of beer, buckets of wings, colourful cocktails, and service with a massive smile. The girls are so friendly, and I've never met anyone yet who hasn't liked it. Don't reckon I'd be friends with anyone who hates Hooters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiavwP0AQvwM5w_p-18MScpIHSfrjyy5KQeWiEB6ef7v1EJXOxLp81c1nR7ZtIcoLh571LFS6478rbrOE_MhqeDgp4_edI1fK9NYHBHT6tlGs_vmTlCjd4ekiAwpDJBBSSiUAy_a8ymStx/s1600/Hooters+NYC+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hooters, New York" border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="636" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiavwP0AQvwM5w_p-18MScpIHSfrjyy5KQeWiEB6ef7v1EJXOxLp81c1nR7ZtIcoLh571LFS6478rbrOE_MhqeDgp4_edI1fK9NYHBHT6tlGs_vmTlCjd4ekiAwpDJBBSSiUAy_a8ymStx/s640/Hooters+NYC+8.png" title="Hooters, New York" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake Shelton likes Hooters. Blake and I would be friends. </td></tr>
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We literally necked our first cocktails in the bar downstairs in an attempt to wake up, but worry not, the girls were on our case and ensured we were never without a drink. It helped that upstairs was so lively, with birthday parties, sports fans, and jet lagged girls all having fun simultaneously. I just wish I could tell you what we drank. Lots of frozen things...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqhzGiRkXEuSOyd2bViadRnqrz8Pivs7AOH-0OeJ9Dw0CZLox15Q5ovnmsBtiQxMouBxmYkLqNcFefRtNfv47NVl7kcoFnJHDYOMjCKozOVhW1FxZnubZhxtEyN63BPCQ47X4JQI2NoFw/s1600/Hooters+NYC+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hooters, New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqhzGiRkXEuSOyd2bViadRnqrz8Pivs7AOH-0OeJ9Dw0CZLox15Q5ovnmsBtiQxMouBxmYkLqNcFefRtNfv47NVl7kcoFnJHDYOMjCKozOVhW1FxZnubZhxtEyN63BPCQ47X4JQI2NoFw/s640/Hooters+NYC+3.png" title="Hooters, New York" width="638" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAyqVPvfhpZF-k5rhKTeINXH_twATEVO0-36C39kRUcIosFy5HS8d9-WVFphwAYAsqfoOVo8iv_aYNuSV_pFcNj5TjM3NdIvIHFkA4plKFI3K5ZULheqZEqykJqXjz4pEzbpRPs6fWtvg/s1600/Hooters+NYC+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hooters, New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAyqVPvfhpZF-k5rhKTeINXH_twATEVO0-36C39kRUcIosFy5HS8d9-WVFphwAYAsqfoOVo8iv_aYNuSV_pFcNj5TjM3NdIvIHFkA4plKFI3K5ZULheqZEqykJqXjz4pEzbpRPs6fWtvg/s640/Hooters+NYC+4.png" title="Hooters, New York" width="638" /></a></div>
To the food. I will start with a short video. For this to work properly, I suggest you set some soft mood lighting, maybe a little gentle classical music, and imagine a gold aura shining from the edges of the screen. BEHOLD.<br />
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I ordered a 'More than a Mouthful' burger, and Ellie got the same with a veggie patty. We also got side orders of curly fries, potato salad and beans. We weren't even hungry! Virgin Atlantic had done an excellent job of stuffing us for hours. Didn't matter, we were in New York, we had alcoholic slushies and big burgers, but more importantly, we had cheese fries! The food always looks rubbish, but tastes like heaven.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7xFiZEyyz3CQ1gLpIkLSu-Al9OxtgF7w2OrN2VU77MVm0OozbYHG6vRhQwjUnVMCXkcpkgBmT3R7D6GQ5BmMzuvcbmwtHK5_t4vJw0z1UO4IcOK4b5zHFy2yQB40IbE9FSmBwLtGMkVw/s1600/Hooters+NYC+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hooters, New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7xFiZEyyz3CQ1gLpIkLSu-Al9OxtgF7w2OrN2VU77MVm0OozbYHG6vRhQwjUnVMCXkcpkgBmT3R7D6GQ5BmMzuvcbmwtHK5_t4vJw0z1UO4IcOK4b5zHFy2yQB40IbE9FSmBwLtGMkVw/s640/Hooters+NYC+5.png" title="Hooters, New York" width="638" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhafG8g9xzfBzm0t06FsVBxGFLwKmwyNqt8RdE5f-Q3Cg5XhE8p7tnUvaXeKofxFYjGbGw-NSdYRRRAKlSKAoIEXTbmVzvj88Fmdron_3rT52E_JOS64nidL09O8TuV4t762r-hx1ENngn/s1600/Hooters+NYC+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hooters, New York" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhafG8g9xzfBzm0t06FsVBxGFLwKmwyNqt8RdE5f-Q3Cg5XhE8p7tnUvaXeKofxFYjGbGw-NSdYRRRAKlSKAoIEXTbmVzvj88Fmdron_3rT52E_JOS64nidL09O8TuV4t762r-hx1ENngn/s640/Hooters+NYC+6.png" title="Hooters, New York" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whatever, I'm getting cheese fries... </td></tr>
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What a way to start our trip! We crawled back to our hotel and slept like dead things, until about 5am, which apparently is the best time to wash your hair. </div>
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Go here for a good time. You'll always be made to feel welcome at Hooters. There's something for everyone. I'm just irked that I didn't have room for dessert, but in our defence we had been up for a very long time at this point. This will not be my last visit.</div>
Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0155 W 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001, USA40.7502043 -73.99042789999998615.2281698 -115.29902189999999 66.2722388 -32.681833899999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-19149125208683977472018-05-23T20:07:00.001+01:002018-05-23T20:38:28.314+01:00Marilyn Manson Bundt Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosBW57AJPulwRzDF5srHcQNTigVesD_Vv_jDuqNnb1nffWHS5-7aTMAIxMt5DY5Wqx296A8KMnxoRM_bZPUDU7p92CJBwjgHkrtp2znugc9a134LPIXD3Xlf4Ne6pRstgVzSP57ZWIo8K/s1600/Marilyn+Manson+Bundt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marilyn Manson Bundt Cake" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosBW57AJPulwRzDF5srHcQNTigVesD_Vv_jDuqNnb1nffWHS5-7aTMAIxMt5DY5Wqx296A8KMnxoRM_bZPUDU7p92CJBwjgHkrtp2znugc9a134LPIXD3Xlf4Ne6pRstgVzSP57ZWIo8K/s1600/Marilyn+Manson+Bundt.png" title="Marilyn Manson Bundt Cake" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">"Fail to see the tragic, turn it into magic"</span></span><br />
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Turn it into magic indeed Brian. I was going to London town to see one of my faves, and getting my shins scraped with an inky needle... sounds like the perfect occasion for cake. Last time I saw the decadent <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_vincent_tattoo/" target="_blank">Rebecca</a>, she had set me a bundt challenge. I adored this. I cannot believe I have never made a Marilyn Manson bundt before, I mean, what kind of grown up antichrist superstar am I?<br />
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My high school days consisted of looking surly, dying my hair black, wearing a 'Smells Like Children' hoodie, and having a school bag which said 'kill yourself now because you're dead in my mind' on it. I was a real treat. It was kind of the obvious route being so naturally deathly white.<br />
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I was obsessed with Marilyn Manson, and was convinced that one day I would marry bassist Twiggy Ramirez. There's time... although there's no way I'm getting married again! His lyrics would stay with me for years to come, and definitely shaped the way I see the world today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QLx-ZwspdKMCcSg75N4bOUqurY-AeQ-DVPqRcnFUIvX30egguuexBh2a31kyOHuw7ldcBCdf8EH9TbxlU596gg7sLK_qczToP8zBxNgsNVeX7Qd5fDTwh8hhCMXhlIxDBzs623OrasUf/s1600/Marilyn+Mnason+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Marilyn Manson memories" border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1117" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QLx-ZwspdKMCcSg75N4bOUqurY-AeQ-DVPqRcnFUIvX30egguuexBh2a31kyOHuw7ldcBCdf8EH9TbxlU596gg7sLK_qczToP8zBxNgsNVeX7Qd5fDTwh8hhCMXhlIxDBzs623OrasUf/s640/Marilyn+Mnason+2.png" title="Marilyn Manson memories" width="639" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;">Smells Like Children cover, my school bag, homework diary, lack of eyebrows at 14, and my beloved Twiggy in his pink dress</span></td></tr>
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So I set about watching my favourite Marilyn Manson video, Dope Hat. It's their take on the boat ride from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, so this was the perfect theme for a cake; swirly sweets, bright colours and the Spooky Kids at their best. Give it a watch... you know you want to...<br />
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The cake itself is an indulgently moist chocolate fudge cake, drizzled with bourbon icing, the hole filled with lots of fruit laces, rainbow astro belts, gobstoppers and chewy snakes, and topped with a top hat, obviously.<br />
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The most important thing was that Rebecca loved it, with a close second being actually getting it from Horwich to Finsbury Park in one piece, in torrential rain!<br />
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I very much doubt you're going to recreate this one, but hopefully it's given you some ideas of your own. Challenges are good... People loving my cakes is the only drug I will ever need. It rules.<br />
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Now I'm off to write on my handbag with glitter glue.<br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">"When all of your wishes are granted, </span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">many of your dreams will be destroyed"</span></div>
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</span>Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-55799055799509614162018-05-22T20:36:00.001+01:002018-05-22T20:36:06.204+01:00Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project, Bolton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2k2VgjI3Jnox7p9JJvf9uFufNibXfVTsZMZ7VqWfnDmJPvS1HDaats4_bv38mjn36VmieEziiVFAEAzlZcO_eVogpxK9kBaAtve863itp-o4mAUVPRGKYQf_GGdLKhbYvK2EkgJbHnvP/s1600/Men+in+Sheds.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2k2VgjI3Jnox7p9JJvf9uFufNibXfVTsZMZ7VqWfnDmJPvS1HDaats4_bv38mjn36VmieEziiVFAEAzlZcO_eVogpxK9kBaAtve863itp-o4mAUVPRGKYQf_GGdLKhbYvK2EkgJbHnvP/s200/Men+in+Sheds.png" title="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" width="199" /></a></div>
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A few things have happened in the last couple weeks which have made me want to do this post. Firstly, I've been thinking a lot about mental health after reading a few things on social media, and chatting to people I work with.</div>
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Last year, a series of events in my own life left me feeling especially vulnerable to the world around me, but on reflection, I was incredibly lucky to be surrounded by people who were ready to wrap their arms around me, offer support, and build me up. I chose to be happy, but could only do that with a lot of help. I feel very fortunate.</div>
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Then last week I read an article by <a href="https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/depression-ruined-relationships-made-hate-14652283" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Simon Binns in the Manchester Evening News</span></a>. It was an incredibly honest account of how his life got turned upside down by anxiety and depression, to which most of us (at some time in our lives) can relate to. Have a read.</div>
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Next up was a trip to Men in Sheds at the Willow Hey Project in Farnworth, and something magical happened. The project was set up by Age UK Bolton, in partnership with Bolton Council and Bolton at Home. It is for men who feel isolated or a bit down, and want to make new friendships whilst having some fun. They grow fruit and vegetables (as well as some fantastic plants and flowers), make things, and aim to support health and mental well being in their community. Basically this is a free space for men (although everyone's welcome) to get together, have a chat, get involved in a whole manner of projects, and feel like they belong, in a beautiful setting.</div>
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I felt compelled to tell you about it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNImnrPXp8B5allqNUlwj_5qR_1Klu_yoCyV8Y3wLTOSGbgXCHrjaGTlpeShnnW3y6jI6JhjXt7Yi5CCI6lNwrU0TIvh8VshX90WGN1DWWKyMfSGb0J4E8CFfG9yPFb1XHFNm8kcBDsle/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNImnrPXp8B5allqNUlwj_5qR_1Klu_yoCyV8Y3wLTOSGbgXCHrjaGTlpeShnnW3y6jI6JhjXt7Yi5CCI6lNwrU0TIvh8VshX90WGN1DWWKyMfSGb0J4E8CFfG9yPFb1XHFNm8kcBDsle/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+2.png" title="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" /></a></div>
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We all find it hard to open up sometimes. A survey by the <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Mental Health Foundation</span></a> showed only a quarter of men had told a friend or family member that they were struggling. Even when they do share, it's not always easy to persuade them to seek professional help. Men were 40% more likely than women to wait over two years, or never tell friends or family. </div>
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This is why initiatives such as the Willow Hey Project are going to be so important for communities in the future. Let's face it, the NHS are up against it, so it's up to us to look after each other a little more as well. Community Development Officer Chris Wood told us tales of men whose lives had been turned around after illness, bereavement, tough family situations, and loneliness. We got to talk to some of the men who access the project, who spoke so lovingly about the work they get involved in, and what it means to them. Before I get all teary, I suggest you watch this:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/willowheycommunity/videos/vb.1622032444697971/1906683849566161/?type=2&theater" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: large;">All about the Willow Hey Project</span></a><br />
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On our visit, Glen (a man who I am sure has been a carpenter from birth) was telling us all about the amazing Viking roundhouse they are building at the bottom of the site, which is one magnificent structure. I have to admit that I got rather excited by his talk on making Viking tool boxes, and by the end of my visit, was pretty much convinced that I wanted to be a Viking.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriwcNpWWAyCpoONuDAsbgtcOLb-rz8adotCS_Ij2lQenJ7EVJfRnc2opJ-8cvXJ8Uw6f9Sf-O10MIEYD0POOeVRu7RizhotY9dhzvKaGHxmqPQouUBlXg3X4dIKEI0lblqk2-jUCJZM_Y/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriwcNpWWAyCpoONuDAsbgtcOLb-rz8adotCS_Ij2lQenJ7EVJfRnc2opJ-8cvXJ8Uw6f9Sf-O10MIEYD0POOeVRu7RizhotY9dhzvKaGHxmqPQouUBlXg3X4dIKEI0lblqk2-jUCJZM_Y/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+9.png" title="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Viking roundhouse</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9hkDTET9Lk4BF6tH_KV2Kt51tYLRjrxm4s5z4AKll-agrwAm-203ZNia7D01KHS08gdASJF5PGbQNkiOMNK2pEIFlrcX-bYwO__r6VavsVhxTpWqXmskNBq1ewAJC_m2L7b9Nrduos6o/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9hkDTET9Lk4BF6tH_KV2Kt51tYLRjrxm4s5z4AKll-agrwAm-203ZNia7D01KHS08gdASJF5PGbQNkiOMNK2pEIFlrcX-bYwO__r6VavsVhxTpWqXmskNBq1ewAJC_m2L7b9Nrduos6o/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+12.png" title="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" /></a></div>
The passion they have for the work they are involved in is truly infectious, and clearly brings them joy and an increased sense of purpose, as well as meeting some new friends in the process. We all left the site feeling massively humbled by what they were doing, and by what many of them had overcome. And we wanted chickens.<br />
<br /><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Where is the Willow Hey Project?</span></b><br />This project is in the corner of Doe Hey Grove in Farnworth. Just walk round the green and enter via the gate.<br />
<br /><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">When can I visit Willow Hey Project?</span></b><br />
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<li>Men in Sheds session: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 9.30am-2.30pm</li>
<li>Community growing/social day: Thursdays 10am-4pm</li>
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Now the site has water and power, they are hoping to host forest school sessions, they have longer term plans for a horticultural college on the site, and already host events such as music festivals, and parties for the wider community during Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEh_fZoIhD84RvvYIfZbU3myZdrJVAVLAb0C3_X55cUDjZhJuqufxez9qgJZioTP-mcUBOrX9aqV3Mh5qY0XTKRkJg37IG0nSNymHgbbNHiy9UPRuuNJtLfw-9jATiAuaxauTn8bGdMdo/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEh_fZoIhD84RvvYIfZbU3myZdrJVAVLAb0C3_X55cUDjZhJuqufxez9qgJZioTP-mcUBOrX9aqV3Mh5qY0XTKRkJg37IG0nSNymHgbbNHiy9UPRuuNJtLfw-9jATiAuaxauTn8bGdMdo/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+11.png" title="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" /></a></div>
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For more information, please contact Lee Harrison (Men in Sheds Coordinator) <a href="mailto:leeharrison@ageukbolton.org.uk">leeharrison@ageukbolton.org.uk</a> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL6a2N7xRQ_8oU_ak_jazQfChUJmCagv5r0POfCcVEssxSv7mjMMAH_YaEosu5glFqkOMEe4mC0NG7i41ZgXVw1yNzGLZYPVG0l1xb_jViSjaAURMdCVJ3IbTle57ON5Fx4jq19ho0Y43/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL6a2N7xRQ_8oU_ak_jazQfChUJmCagv5r0POfCcVEssxSv7mjMMAH_YaEosu5glFqkOMEe4mC0NG7i41ZgXVw1yNzGLZYPVG0l1xb_jViSjaAURMdCVJ3IbTle57ON5Fx4jq19ho0Y43/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+7.png" title="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-IVKQit6HDUHzvovR9J9E92xyh8lQUnepW6JUBju9tQ3RJt2VLYiBGNA8N-yFWeNDpy9JMs6BAaWo72khZ_OPn3Rr25J4uz-f8BJ5tCeCOWO0PsvzLZlPwYngeWyrILxz-47lS7ZBc1f/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-IVKQit6HDUHzvovR9J9E92xyh8lQUnepW6JUBju9tQ3RJt2VLYiBGNA8N-yFWeNDpy9JMs6BAaWo72khZ_OPn3Rr25J4uz-f8BJ5tCeCOWO0PsvzLZlPwYngeWyrILxz-47lS7ZBc1f/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+6.png" title="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildlife</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMabXSTI5ujMKuI3_9McRZQftYH8_DChdTzET1cy5DeMY9fBzviKk-A8S_sn1LUJy0x6rjby9r5MEfRdBJmtQvjV_PSPmlFp6me4yHXwUZxcUxEhtb2kU6i8t4Q8DLHOlwIv7AZcOhZGkc/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+3.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMabXSTI5ujMKuI3_9McRZQftYH8_DChdTzET1cy5DeMY9fBzviKk-A8S_sn1LUJy0x6rjby9r5MEfRdBJmtQvjV_PSPmlFp6me4yHXwUZxcUxEhtb2kU6i8t4Q8DLHOlwIv7AZcOhZGkc/s1600/Men+in+Sheds+3.png" title="Men in Sheds - The Willow Hey Project" /></a></div>
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Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0Doe Hey Grove, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 7HS, UK53.5546128 -2.415918599999940953.554023300000004 -2.4171790999999407 53.5552023 -2.414658099999941tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-82161976381990838652018-05-16T19:24:00.001+01:002018-05-16T19:24:22.359+01:00Rainbow Room and Top of the Rock, New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThdwOcas8dhKbnFp_iJl-_RR8N26vcSvDnYPZ7P0uIWfT08t14Be5DLk0rZoW9xOxo4ODBiU-MIVvlxpQ-X7D8_nUtmULKnGA1-J6OiGtjZh-S-A3DY8kXlJbqWG4DC1FS4UgEr23O_qk/s1600/Rainbow+Room+New+York+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rainbow Room New York" border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="423" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThdwOcas8dhKbnFp_iJl-_RR8N26vcSvDnYPZ7P0uIWfT08t14Be5DLk0rZoW9xOxo4ODBiU-MIVvlxpQ-X7D8_nUtmULKnGA1-J6OiGtjZh-S-A3DY8kXlJbqWG4DC1FS4UgEr23O_qk/s400/Rainbow+Room+New+York+Logo.png" title="Rainbow Room New York" width="400" /></a></div>
I rearranged our whole itinerary around this booking. Gone are the days where Michelin stars excite me (been there, done that, bought the guides), rather now I get giddy by chic cocktail bars. I only found the <a href="https://rainbowroom.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Rainbow Room</span></a> about a month before we flew to New York, but managed to snaffle a booking that would mean we could see the sunset from the Top of the Rock, and then watch the city by night as we ate dinner.<br />
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We had been ridiculously excited about this booking, and I had donned a 'New York' dress to mark the occasion. No exaggeration, it was like people had never seen such an item! Locals were already tickled pink by my hair (which swagged us free drinks), but the themed dress was definitely a good choice. You know what its downside was? It was windy as hell up there, and that circle skirt inflates far too easily...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tj6nKrsvs45YaIkAlhtR9prx85CehTr1c0i6NkbvYbyfvLWFEh3BDa5dhg4rddrmN4UlKxF87O2bF3PKcyqLwZvthjTym_P8Y1DibgZHjXS7VzRZj-33LlOx-DonmF4S2tBeTPw5Dq-4/s1600/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lindy Bop New York Dress" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tj6nKrsvs45YaIkAlhtR9prx85CehTr1c0i6NkbvYbyfvLWFEh3BDa5dhg4rddrmN4UlKxF87O2bF3PKcyqLwZvthjTym_P8Y1DibgZHjXS7VzRZj-33LlOx-DonmF4S2tBeTPw5Dq-4/s640/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+1.png" title="Lindy Bop New York Dress" width="638" /></a></div>
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We booked our 'Top of the Rock' tickets for 7.30pm, so we could watch the last of the sunshine, the sunset, and then nightfall at the top of the Rockefeller Centre. I had been to the Empire State Building on my last trip, and I have to say it's true that this is so much better! There's a viewing platform where you have the option to see the same beauty from inside, or you can venture out, if you are wearing appropriate dress... </div>
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Sunset up there is the weirdest thing. It literally goes from full daylight, to pools of light hitting specific spots in the distance, to dark. Sixty five stories up boasts some of the most stunning views of the city, spanning from Central Park right down to Lady Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-CSIrCniZoGklwCJs-ExiMskVd9CgFZQORyHG5RhUYRvGixahIsUx1xKhzXdxqhbPFXn2M_wSTe6AkQzzdspN3P53X1E68Cw5ap5BDEFco1D3ajANpGGd1S7krOzKy4c9V-rTMRV0E5U/s1600/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rainbow Room New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-CSIrCniZoGklwCJs-ExiMskVd9CgFZQORyHG5RhUYRvGixahIsUx1xKhzXdxqhbPFXn2M_wSTe6AkQzzdspN3P53X1E68Cw5ap5BDEFco1D3ajANpGGd1S7krOzKy4c9V-rTMRV0E5U/s640/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+7.png" title="Rainbow Room New York" width="638" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE0jngAfxjRnSMgn9O3_r29YYnvq-1qszjYspRjY4DtQdl4GPkgkQ9tItqckxjcWm0ZolVM4iy8ChbWJRS0P5W8TzOWQ4gMtZ6V-iRBtiHQ2dmpA4Wlmhrky7O1Wnu03S7B2nOGzurjnh/s1600/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rainbow Room New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE0jngAfxjRnSMgn9O3_r29YYnvq-1qszjYspRjY4DtQdl4GPkgkQ9tItqckxjcWm0ZolVM4iy8ChbWJRS0P5W8TzOWQ4gMtZ6V-iRBtiHQ2dmpA4Wlmhrky7O1Wnu03S7B2nOGzurjnh/s640/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+5.png" title="Rainbow Room New York" width="638" /></a></div>
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Once darkness had almost descended, we went down one floor to the Rainbow Room restaurant. There aren't many views better than this. We were a little early, so we had a cocktail in Bar 65 before our meal, and enjoyed some amazing views of the city. Happiness is a cocktail in hand, great company, and a beautiful city.<br />
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Once settled in our seats on the best side of the building, we reflected on what had been the most wonderful day stomping around New York, drinks being sipped and menus in hand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7DpGT9wKwiCGIv9dL8Ux1KlJQNrirAdX0NeL55ZHF0iflk0_ttm9coAF0FiBQyyX-GZhBdhcW57nDFs87EbGcx0AUEf6TpAGs6HnQmTskiXj5279QjA9PlVfYcYqYutuBDKAoJZAPuRo/s1600/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rainbow Room New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7DpGT9wKwiCGIv9dL8Ux1KlJQNrirAdX0NeL55ZHF0iflk0_ttm9coAF0FiBQyyX-GZhBdhcW57nDFs87EbGcx0AUEf6TpAGs6HnQmTskiXj5279QjA9PlVfYcYqYutuBDKAoJZAPuRo/s640/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+3.png" title="Rainbow Room New York" width="636" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Oven-roasted flatbread - Burrata, caramelised onions, crispy Brussels sprouts, prosciutto:</span> A fancy pizza of sorts. Cheesy, naturally salty, and incredibly tasty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU34n5XVmrO19o0rsygRgrc06aqle_ppYnzQUOee2iSlJYxr2M8g23p_Vglw7IxmS55YjyeyqvlmkdsIVv_a9gzkuA6KMxBtqy4B23VJSgLjdxZRfJruhckDcF5F00JORxc999U8d8Tl2/s1600/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rainbow Room New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU34n5XVmrO19o0rsygRgrc06aqle_ppYnzQUOee2iSlJYxr2M8g23p_Vglw7IxmS55YjyeyqvlmkdsIVv_a9gzkuA6KMxBtqy4B23VJSgLjdxZRfJruhckDcF5F00JORxc999U8d8Tl2/s1600/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+8.png" title="Rainbow Room New York" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Poached pear salad - pomegranate, winter greens, maple-sherry dressing:</span> The perfect lighter option whilst still being packed full of flavour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ77ew3K3n5v78jSbYMw4eyeyio3g36kKHAzt9-UzYD1aZv2O7eDRaTQuavplWsmAMNJhsL_W1FllSshU_TXBxKym8C_fuKnirhRKq1Hz5iZYJvZKQdnwYs68EOzO-qmJK-6L2aE7KaCU/s1600/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rainbow Room New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ77ew3K3n5v78jSbYMw4eyeyio3g36kKHAzt9-UzYD1aZv2O7eDRaTQuavplWsmAMNJhsL_W1FllSshU_TXBxKym8C_fuKnirhRKq1Hz5iZYJvZKQdnwYs68EOzO-qmJK-6L2aE7KaCU/s1600/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+10.png" title="Rainbow Room New York" /></a></div>
We finished our evening with another cocktail, and a chat to two chaps who had also found themselves walking round the city all day. Seems the Rainbow Room is the perfect way to end a day in the Big Apple.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNw6nYxXPKU2DqdpJtJQ5npjM1EgCWFoYahGKpSbQ-7cbzfXVSqyBoqUxa3TKk8gPnvQb04qyKHeXgs5qvLR_aQzDDZfxvT5kRVFLPOf6EBzGfrEGiDUHP8gJnKK06FBl-IP3pVtH3m2I/s1600/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rainbow Room New York" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNw6nYxXPKU2DqdpJtJQ5npjM1EgCWFoYahGKpSbQ-7cbzfXVSqyBoqUxa3TKk8gPnvQb04qyKHeXgs5qvLR_aQzDDZfxvT5kRVFLPOf6EBzGfrEGiDUHP8gJnKK06FBl-IP3pVtH3m2I/s640/Rainbow+Rooms+New+York+11.png" title="Rainbow Room New York" width="638" /></a></div>
Go here for Don Draper style glamour. It's a place for dressing up, treating yourself to fine cocktails, and taking in the view.Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com030 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, USA40.7589632 -73.97933739999996315.236928699999996 -115.28793139999996 66.2809977 -32.670743399999964tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-86674671469854058902018-05-15T20:47:00.000+01:002018-05-15T20:47:05.906+01:00Empire, Horwich<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo-Uf0ZljR2-PBfyugLy-hpHUDP6BkfUEATwq6a_dEwuFszGj66H2KBvEaEo-B7Zm-spQVkHolWwA7Hdxry3wli8UQ2MxqnODOJOJo4WtgC7ucX2QsM43NAPzRNBMHaTKXTvPWr8-dSb7/s1600/Empire+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Empire, Horwich" border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo-Uf0ZljR2-PBfyugLy-hpHUDP6BkfUEATwq6a_dEwuFszGj66H2KBvEaEo-B7Zm-spQVkHolWwA7Hdxry3wli8UQ2MxqnODOJOJo4WtgC7ucX2QsM43NAPzRNBMHaTKXTvPWr8-dSb7/s1600/Empire+Logo.png" title="Empire, Horwich" /></a></div>
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So I was aware of <a href="https://empirehorwich.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Empire</span></a> before it was even a twinkle on Chorley New Road, yet for some reason, it's taken me this long to actually go. A couple of months ago, I bumped into an old school friend who I hadn't seen since we were about 18. She's moved back to the area, so we decided to get out for the evening, and sample what Empire had to offer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXzL-mgswwnwKolIn3ZMekRSj44BC9G1OFA74mYXIwRVPlP2aTs6ZaKCt-XFtmK7QQm89wfImOvDLvr1T4qZI4WuOOTwPDF7G3Ne8IfcHATH6GceLCOni7T1_QY_g3VfYdkCbTNniKzut/s1600/Empire+Horwich+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Empire, Horwich" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="763" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXzL-mgswwnwKolIn3ZMekRSj44BC9G1OFA74mYXIwRVPlP2aTs6ZaKCt-XFtmK7QQm89wfImOvDLvr1T4qZI4WuOOTwPDF7G3Ne8IfcHATH6GceLCOni7T1_QY_g3VfYdkCbTNniKzut/s640/Empire+Horwich+1.png" title="Empire, Horwich" width="638" /></a></div>
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Downstairs is a beautifully styled restaurant, whilst upstairs boasts a rather swish cocktail bar. The plan was to have a little something to eat, followed by a couple of cocktails in the bar. Sensible eh? It did not go down like that. Not at all. </div>
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We took full advantage of the 'Two steaks for £26' offer that was on that night, which included a fat sirloin served with cherry tomatoes, sautéed mushroom and hand cut chips. I also ordered a peppercorn sauce, which is standard behaviour. I have to admit that I wasn't expecting amazing things, as steak can be a bit of a risk when trying somewhere new. This was absolutely delicious. Perhaps a tad more to the medium than rare side, but still, a lovely cut of meat with tasty sides.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9Ko1QJAQODcE0hH1VMThDRJ82-j3rbc1iNL48DO3KpEZ_0ZiZ7Sx2pQCcWOfApqf6xEr3FqiS_V7kzIx436OzYoL_vaeydV9zci3ZnQX6Jij6GIol8xaVJV2r6kTwsldNHiDNlJtP0zT/s1600/Empire+Horwich+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Empire, Horwich" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="764" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9Ko1QJAQODcE0hH1VMThDRJ82-j3rbc1iNL48DO3KpEZ_0ZiZ7Sx2pQCcWOfApqf6xEr3FqiS_V7kzIx436OzYoL_vaeydV9zci3ZnQX6Jij6GIol8xaVJV2r6kTwsldNHiDNlJtP0zT/s640/Empire+Horwich+2.png" title="Empire, Horwich" width="639" /></a></div>
This is where things went a little bit west for us. I was still heavily jet-lagged after New York, and if I was able to push through the mid afternoon lull, I was good until about 2am. It was a school night. <br />
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So, we popped upstairs for a couple. Things started in my usual fashion of challenging the barman to a surprise, so the cocktails below are mainly 'off piste' and of his own creation on the night. We became firm friends with Lucas, who I am sure performed some sort of alcohol based witchcraft. I also have to admit that looking at the volume here, I know there were more, and I had two of at least one of these. I didn't take pictures of duplicates, or the additional beers. Don't judge, it was a reunion.<br />
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I'm just sorry that I can't recall what was in most of these, other than the first one, which I know was a Poison Apple. What I can tell you is that we had a cracking little time, with each cocktail more delicious than the previous one. We also got vouchers for a free bottle of Prosecco for our return visit. I only got in bed at 1.15am on a Thursday night... oh well.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqj2cVHGtHlKEOgRJiKc4PA2KNw8Mm4q0HGGLpJ0V96c0aHv50FXlYZ9S3WS5dfjcttXALK0zUDrVWRE_R7Qfy9JN2OwECJcAY_lwPyQEInP9m-OuZtVQchPN-uHb7EnYhu4P6ioyaWft/s1600/Empire+Horwich+5.png"><img alt="Empire, Horwich" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqj2cVHGtHlKEOgRJiKc4PA2KNw8Mm4q0HGGLpJ0V96c0aHv50FXlYZ9S3WS5dfjcttXALK0zUDrVWRE_R7Qfy9JN2OwECJcAY_lwPyQEInP9m-OuZtVQchPN-uHb7EnYhu4P6ioyaWft/s640/Empire+Horwich+5.png" title="Empire, Horwich" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqU6ffS2lGClVF9zPZPkAVaOx3w14i9rtoCtQnE8HilZb8n9cS4Hof8FFcPFeEd1rvbNYvWttZtS_0VVzznZ4t2FJO03c-baY50ZWjqloMx08_UVbCsM0gF6YuaSmYHSINRvd6Bz5HWfh3/s1600/Empire+Horwich+3.png"><img alt="Empire, Horwich" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqU6ffS2lGClVF9zPZPkAVaOx3w14i9rtoCtQnE8HilZb8n9cS4Hof8FFcPFeEd1rvbNYvWttZtS_0VVzznZ4t2FJO03c-baY50ZWjqloMx08_UVbCsM0gF6YuaSmYHSINRvd6Bz5HWfh3/s640/Empire+Horwich+3.png" title="Empire, Horwich" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1cj-jJU1RLXZlXCv6JlyZ7Lg-okUIjhJQ7JP9V15OX7YbUsiU8IrtXm3u0e89Cmn6qhq3Yk6afVuBKp7-yK3B3ht7XoIn2zNbYfEFH65Hay0lcm4mwtdzAwXc2nTp0IFuL1HfSmAmcQ6/s1600/Empire+Horwich+4.png"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1cj-jJU1RLXZlXCv6JlyZ7Lg-okUIjhJQ7JP9V15OX7YbUsiU8IrtXm3u0e89Cmn6qhq3Yk6afVuBKp7-yK3B3ht7XoIn2zNbYfEFH65Hay0lcm4mwtdzAwXc2nTp0IFuL1HfSmAmcQ6/s1600/Empire+Horwich+4.png"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsNOmya379vSof7NyTwseumZd9k1i8oDqyXVInU8fXnbVGJn0jeZq0Jo8kHo8vnHgMA7pLITjkW5EFcxmesaDpUC52xmyRcR-KEWza4kyl8uDVB_hXys64pqTJbRTeBva-18JV65qdadx/s1600/Empire+Horwich+6.png"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsNOmya379vSof7NyTwseumZd9k1i8oDqyXVInU8fXnbVGJn0jeZq0Jo8kHo8vnHgMA7pLITjkW5EFcxmesaDpUC52xmyRcR-KEWza4kyl8uDVB_hXys64pqTJbRTeBva-18JV65qdadx/s1600/Empire+Horwich+6.png"><img alt="Empire, Horwich" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsNOmya379vSof7NyTwseumZd9k1i8oDqyXVInU8fXnbVGJn0jeZq0Jo8kHo8vnHgMA7pLITjkW5EFcxmesaDpUC52xmyRcR-KEWza4kyl8uDVB_hXys64pqTJbRTeBva-18JV65qdadx/s640/Empire+Horwich+6.png" title="Empire, Horwich" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1cj-jJU1RLXZlXCv6JlyZ7Lg-okUIjhJQ7JP9V15OX7YbUsiU8IrtXm3u0e89Cmn6qhq3Yk6afVuBKp7-yK3B3ht7XoIn2zNbYfEFH65Hay0lcm4mwtdzAwXc2nTp0IFuL1HfSmAmcQ6/s1600/Empire+Horwich+4.png"><img alt="Empire, Horwich" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1cj-jJU1RLXZlXCv6JlyZ7Lg-okUIjhJQ7JP9V15OX7YbUsiU8IrtXm3u0e89Cmn6qhq3Yk6afVuBKp7-yK3B3ht7XoIn2zNbYfEFH65Hay0lcm4mwtdzAwXc2nTp0IFuL1HfSmAmcQ6/s640/Empire+Horwich+4.png" title="Empire, Horwich" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhxY3n6PeFrerlKBwFwiq2Rr4nLJBHhQAgoRO5_mSbaEY_Wq5XUmLxjSEjbfQAkdi5rqn7o_3XPfBRMwc-Y_FVZCzUv2yMp6utDjd4ISfaUm8Phechzix96P_DYbdP_JolXijvWpsytN2/s1600/Empire+Horwich+7.png"><img alt="Empire, Horwich" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhxY3n6PeFrerlKBwFwiq2Rr4nLJBHhQAgoRO5_mSbaEY_Wq5XUmLxjSEjbfQAkdi5rqn7o_3XPfBRMwc-Y_FVZCzUv2yMp6utDjd4ISfaUm8Phechzix96P_DYbdP_JolXijvWpsytN2/s640/Empire+Horwich+7.png" title="Empire, Horwich" /></a>Go here with your mates to have a bloody good time. We went on a quiet weekday, but Lucas and pals kept us entertained, and certainly ensured that the drinks kept on flowing. I'll definitely be back to use my Prosecco voucher, and see what other alcoholic brews he can come up with.Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0602 Chorley New Rd, Horwich, Bolton BL6 6EX, UK53.5885664 -2.532315599999947228.066531899999998 -43.840909599999947 79.1106009 38.776278400000052tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-7436084156405644302018-05-15T19:29:00.001+01:002018-05-15T19:29:19.615+01:00Jack Daniels and Coke Bundt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ehWPCM_ZYVkZZFLdaJ-PzXD7WGFKAZEYu5oFk6ACnnUx1871mvLu3PeL5EGL_4hN2vhyphenhyphenIA2uNedL6VMKX9mXJZTvdB299KP8GrLNgy6lJczA4aKxocnKXq2kRGmiMQnKFsIW49d52GBq/s1600/JD+%2526+Coke+Bundt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack Daniels and Coke Bundt" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ehWPCM_ZYVkZZFLdaJ-PzXD7WGFKAZEYu5oFk6ACnnUx1871mvLu3PeL5EGL_4hN2vhyphenhyphenIA2uNedL6VMKX9mXJZTvdB299KP8GrLNgy6lJczA4aKxocnKXq2kRGmiMQnKFsIW49d52GBq/s1600/JD+%2526+Coke+Bundt.png" title="Jack Daniels and Coke Bundt" /></a></div>
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I went to see one of my faves the other week, that absolute darling <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_vincent_tattoo/?hl=en" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Rebecca Vincent</span></a>. She was doing a lovely little guest spot at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/toothandtalontattoo" style="color: #c27ba0;" target="_blank">Tooth and Talon Tattoo</a>, so I popped down to get some more flora added to my arm.</div>
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I've been making bundts for about seven years now, so the hardest part by far at this stage is coming up with ideas which reach beyond lemon drizzle and chocolate. I never make the same thing twice, and it has to be something that excites me. </div>
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After consulting with a couple of work buddies, I was settled on a Jack Daniels and Coke bundt for Rebecca and her tattooing pals. You can make this as strong or as weak as you like, by playing about with the amount of bourbon you use in the cake and icing. I made this one boozy as hell.</div>
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She set me a challenge for the next bundt. Post to follow...</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px;">Ingredients</span></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">225g unsalted butter</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">100g of vegetable fat </li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">550g golden caster sugar</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">100g soft brown sugar</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">6 medium eggs</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">450g plain flour</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1/2 tsp baking powder</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1/2 tsp salt</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">1 tsp ground ginger</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">250ml of Jack Daniels and Coke - I used a premixed can</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">4 tbsp Jack Daniels (optional)</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">500g icing sugar</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">More Jack Daniels to make a runny icing, or you can use a mixture of bourbon and water.</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Cola bottle sweets to decorate</li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Method</span></b></div>
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<ol>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Grease and flour a regular sized bundt tin (2.4l, 10 cup, 10 inch).</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Soften the butter and vegetable fat and then cream in the sugars in stages.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Add the eggs one at a time on a slow setting.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Add all the remaining dry ingredients to a large bowl.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Add the Jack Daniels to the premixed JD & Coke.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Sift in 1/3 of the dry ingredients, followed by 1/2 of the liquid. Repeat until all the flour and liquid is used up. Fold it in gently...</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Tip: at this stage it will look a bugger. This is fine! </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Give the whole thing a quick mix for about 10 seconds or until well combined. It will no longer look above mentioned 'bugger'.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Spoon the mix into the prepared tin and give it a good whack on the worktop. Because the cake has fizzy stuff in, it will hold a lot of air bubbles. Too many may mean the tin design is lost. </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Tip: Don't fill your tin more than 3/4 full. Stick any excess in muffin tins.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Bake at gas 3/160 C for about 2 hours. Just turn it after about an hour and a half.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">It should be shrinking from the sides and a skewer should come out clean.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Let it cool in the tin for ten minutes then turn it out. Note, you tend to get a bit of a 'fluffy' inch at what ends up being the base of the bundt. This is caused by the air bubbles in the mix rising as it bakes. Embrace it. </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Allow to cool fully before icing. </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">To make the topping, add enough Jack Daniels/water/a combination of the two to the icing sugar. You're looking for a runny consistency whilst maintaining a thick mix.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Tip it over the cake in a frivolous fashion.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Decorate with cola bottles and whatever else makes you happy. </li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bloggers</b><b>: </b>Please respect the fact I am sharing my own ideas and recipe. Blood, sweat and many tears have gone into getting this right, so you may enjoy a perfect bundt. If you wish to re-blog a recipe from these variations, please credit my blog and link to this original post rather than pasting the recipe on your own page. </span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please see my Creative Commons Copyright information for more details. Thank you.</span></div>
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<br />Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-16834799317206148542018-05-14T21:40:00.006+01:002018-05-15T18:43:29.432+01:00Jack's Wife Freda, New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR00k8z-PXM1Bq_wCrPw25PmfQiAcG80mCAjAXxe3fNNUE2Mum4CbE7xZ3O_Fg0NebxKi1zxPKqE-4Og1GlfF0fI7geY5TLhbh4cmiBM1C490Kb7sDpgwyY6939SVneaDAQ80kLdXm0Sc/s1600/Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack's Wife Freda" border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR00k8z-PXM1Bq_wCrPw25PmfQiAcG80mCAjAXxe3fNNUE2Mum4CbE7xZ3O_Fg0NebxKi1zxPKqE-4Og1GlfF0fI7geY5TLhbh4cmiBM1C490Kb7sDpgwyY6939SVneaDAQ80kLdXm0Sc/s1600/Logo.png" title="Jack's Wife Freda" /></a></div>
We were an hour early... I thought this was the city that never sleeps?! Well let me tell you, Greenwich Village sleeps. We ended up in a dodgy Maccy D's drinking a large coffee, watching pigeons peck at kerb side trash while our allotted '30 minute' window stay slipped by... but it was all okay, because we were going to <a href="http://jackswifefreda.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Jack's Wife Freda</span></a>.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDELg-FQqluiBluOuOQrS_J0OMbfbk_n7RXaJTtbcL2rWqnMepnQ0xdlaV_nwb4RIwGYqLaH7jA3YZovlKNUmgWb1Kf1Efq9kHd4o13271jlQS2RxN4yF-jINdNvq8fQFE7UFYSNFfzh4a/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jack's Wife Freda" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDELg-FQqluiBluOuOQrS_J0OMbfbk_n7RXaJTtbcL2rWqnMepnQ0xdlaV_nwb4RIwGYqLaH7jA3YZovlKNUmgWb1Kf1Efq9kHd4o13271jlQS2RxN4yF-jINdNvq8fQFE7UFYSNFfzh4a/s200/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+.png" title="Jack's Wife Freda" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack and Freda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Whenever I'm going on a trip, I like to extensively research the best places to eat, drink, and generally be merry, and this little beaut popped up on almost every list where breakfast was concerned. I also try to vary the types of food, so we get to sample a wide range of what the city has to offer. I even have a spreadsheet of what to do on each day, complete with travel plans and other interesting things to do whilst in that area. You'll either be appalled by this geekiness, or want a copy (email me).<br />
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So it was 'Greenwich Village Day'. We had the most exciting of plans, which included Washington Square dog park, Williams Sonoma (cake tins yo...), Keste Pizza, The Big Gay Ice Cream Shop, visiting quirky shops, the Highline and the Sugar Factory. We were very likely to die of excess, then add stop number three including £150 of Nordic Ware, which I then had to carry. Bozo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVlAj018NQjVH-5cbOqVKEl4-W4nFL2J8vapll54qvekTlYWNhFYQSCjTDX9l-OCMhWK90856_RluwKrYvnk5ydi_6dVh25cBkRTf2L56rzOQV_0j2eS8ZiAp9YYVSasMvz9sntbxzUWX/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack's Wife Freda" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVlAj018NQjVH-5cbOqVKEl4-W4nFL2J8vapll54qvekTlYWNhFYQSCjTDX9l-OCMhWK90856_RluwKrYvnk5ydi_6dVh25cBkRTf2L56rzOQV_0j2eS8ZiAp9YYVSasMvz9sntbxzUWX/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+1.png" title="Jack's Wife Freda" /></a></div>
Spawned from the union of a South African and an Israeli, Jack's Wife Freda is a celebration of co-owner Dean's grandmother's hospitality. NewYork Mag described the cuisine as '<span style="background-color: #fffdf2; color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;">South African Israeli Jewish Grandmother Cuisine'. I have to say, it works.</span><br />
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We were the first in, the second they opened. Although we had already consumed the world's tallest coffee in McDonald's, it was 8.30am, and we were used to having had about five cups plus a pint of apple juice by this hour, which seemed to be a theme of our holiday no matter where we went.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Og38ZeKrgcigYPR53WQVds-kiXGgHeTGOn56w3Trv5XXbOQ59V6cnt9sRHJDEWyUoJBwavpUzrQCwYe8nEoG15luY_xrl4V1-P3veu0yzP8CFxUsqej5GZr4DnxpnlIw_DLAqP_6srkC/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack's Wife Freda" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Og38ZeKrgcigYPR53WQVds-kiXGgHeTGOn56w3Trv5XXbOQ59V6cnt9sRHJDEWyUoJBwavpUzrQCwYe8nEoG15luY_xrl4V1-P3veu0yzP8CFxUsqej5GZr4DnxpnlIw_DLAqP_6srkC/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+2.png" title="Jack's Wife Freda" /></a></div>
This was lovely coffee, and instead of our usual large apple juice, we were offered house pressed cantaloupe melon juice. Dang that stuff is refreshing. When you get a breakfast juice over here, it's always served in a tiny little glass, whereas New Yorkers seem to always serve it like it's essential to your survival to have at least a pint. I noticed on one menu that fruit juice came in 'Large' or 'Ex-Large'. Melon juice really does need to be a thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmna-r1PNU-InQF8tEoRdzqsM8Ie_NOEIfWX_AxT-FNr817ty-Ia0ii05-HAFkpQ5j6rEw0jwXKALprop7cde22Zzxg44sqSBEqDJlBgsd-Y0L_9TN_do3OoH3unXCpIjDA4UTamRtD7f0/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack's Wife Freda" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmna-r1PNU-InQF8tEoRdzqsM8Ie_NOEIfWX_AxT-FNr817ty-Ia0ii05-HAFkpQ5j6rEw0jwXKALprop7cde22Zzxg44sqSBEqDJlBgsd-Y0L_9TN_do3OoH3unXCpIjDA4UTamRtD7f0/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+3.png" title="Jack's Wife Freda" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Jack’s breakfast - two eggs (any style), grilled skirt steak, grilled tomato, fingerling potatoes
and sourdough toast:</span> Steak and eggs could only be consumed once, and this had to be the place. Stunning simplicity, with the hottest, indescribable 'green stuff' on record. And yes, I totally got a side of halloumi.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz2P30h-RRVqWX6oHeg9WxAhODZ32dcRrIGFw_ti-nonyq5Pu4U9_ohNneBrI7tdMm1KhOkYeyjSFQ5yr7ZArouQ09LQ97p6nr0Go5WuqGEOHIpddjA2LeoIlphM-5Pua3RZUwSmc1TzS/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack's Wife Freda" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz2P30h-RRVqWX6oHeg9WxAhODZ32dcRrIGFw_ti-nonyq5Pu4U9_ohNneBrI7tdMm1KhOkYeyjSFQ5yr7ZArouQ09LQ97p6nr0Go5WuqGEOHIpddjA2LeoIlphM-5Pua3RZUwSmc1TzS/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+4.png" title="Jack's Wife Freda" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OvVr0T-fvU9IanvOnzjxB5MRtufvEGlvxOA8AtyuKZpdTSOkT1ydcblo-3ZaJMloNfS4NziPeSBrn9bGmukG7PO0lMBuBnSfOERRY42gtw_gjTHyfNkNStwZgMx2_wujyl72abp4RrGo/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack's Wife Freda" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OvVr0T-fvU9IanvOnzjxB5MRtufvEGlvxOA8AtyuKZpdTSOkT1ydcblo-3ZaJMloNfS4NziPeSBrn9bGmukG7PO0lMBuBnSfOERRY42gtw_gjTHyfNkNStwZgMx2_wujyl72abp4RrGo/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+5.png" title="Jack's Wife Freda" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Poached eggs with grilled tomato and halloumi - two poached eggs, grilled tomato and halloumi, served with sourdough toast: </span>So fresh and so clean... This almost doesn't feel like a treat because it's pretty healthy (let's ignore the wedges of halloumi). Ellie was over the moon with this wonderful veggie option.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFbOv7C73XZWNbTCV5U9A0UZ1Z0kD8zWzCvtHncBvdchVeKYAvv2BGXIi3nk-nPaa3GMwiS-p9XL4lMcEioDR1EocVlcsYdjsLmnGt3GR12HTDECI4HneU7mAGtQCj2VXuVXpgrCw5XOZ/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack's Wife Freda" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFbOv7C73XZWNbTCV5U9A0UZ1Z0kD8zWzCvtHncBvdchVeKYAvv2BGXIi3nk-nPaa3GMwiS-p9XL4lMcEioDR1EocVlcsYdjsLmnGt3GR12HTDECI4HneU7mAGtQCj2VXuVXpgrCw5XOZ/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+6.png" title="Jack's Wife Freda" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Flourless chipotle chocolate cake with chocolate mousse: </span>We didn't even order this, it just appeared. Anywhere that enforces breakfast dessert is worthy of a fanfare. Unfortunately, I had left my bugle at home, so they had to make do with our gratitude! This may look dense, bit it was actually as light as a little feather.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QyQr6dPnba3Ee1IN2efheoT5QDmKD9j63KtGQJWFIkv1iEdmSJKvazxMpTz3LKXjxe9Xrg4Hy3iOWHwzzSapqG-9uPL_XCjBrJNM4iJz2qruGNPZCCzRzp7ExqoC-6-9KgmDlgUeh0fm/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack's Wife Freda" border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QyQr6dPnba3Ee1IN2efheoT5QDmKD9j63KtGQJWFIkv1iEdmSJKvazxMpTz3LKXjxe9Xrg4Hy3iOWHwzzSapqG-9uPL_XCjBrJNM4iJz2qruGNPZCCzRzp7ExqoC-6-9KgmDlgUeh0fm/s1600/Jack%2527s+Wife+Freda+7.png" title="Jack's Wife Freda" /></a></div>
If I find out you have been to New York and not been here, I am going to firstly defriend you immediately, and secondly be very cross with you indeed. What a refreshing change from the usual 'belly busting' American food.<br />
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Go here for a relaxed morning, where the staff are chatty, the atmosphere is buzzing, and the cheese is squeaky. We absolutely loved it here.Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0224 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, USA40.722146 -73.99756200000001615.200111500000002 -115.30615600000002 66.2441805 -32.688968000000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602174163646514000.post-59067748222897372762018-05-14T19:55:00.002+01:002018-05-14T19:55:47.988+01:00Brockholes, Salmesbury<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfScuxtPCntyOfIkHQZo4-joppjYDFmOmJsdX1BDVmC-mrK-LDsWhO9Z0Cq5YMON2Y8vr5Cn24FljUef6hKH4eH0nJ8M2id-xuBuT8FoX4-v1hu7ZyJKOcTFGgT58tyhl02Xeo5jJFNWmo/s1600/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brockholes, Salmesbury" border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfScuxtPCntyOfIkHQZo4-joppjYDFmOmJsdX1BDVmC-mrK-LDsWhO9Z0Cq5YMON2Y8vr5Cn24FljUef6hKH4eH0nJ8M2id-xuBuT8FoX4-v1hu7ZyJKOcTFGgT58tyhl02Xeo5jJFNWmo/s1600/logo.png" title="Brockholes, Salmesbury" /></a></div>
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So I've decided to shake things up. You all know that I eat a lot of food and bake a fair bit, but I do way more than that. I'm constantly looking for new adventures and doing things that make me happy. I'm always asking folk for recommendations, and people ask me too. So it's decided, I'm putting anything on my blog that adds to the pursuit of happiness.</div>
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The brief: It's sunny although not mad hot, but you fancy a walk somewhere pretty. One answer is <a href="http://www.brockholes.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Brockholes</span></a> in Salmesbury. There's a visitor's centre if you want to get interactive, a playground for the nippers, a cafe, and the most stunning nature reserve. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnO7SQqSS0cJtckxTUga9TKmFV4v2BTZhiSiVUM-1ALPqd_3D0Rrlftuf-GnqJmtrjuMFMHz_o75Z0ubwToyud-RPsAousXcMs3H7uWQkTfMnq13SHExIiMWNtaP2atT9c1ODJ5veXmKFO/s1600/Brockholes+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brockholes, Salmesbury" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnO7SQqSS0cJtckxTUga9TKmFV4v2BTZhiSiVUM-1ALPqd_3D0Rrlftuf-GnqJmtrjuMFMHz_o75Z0ubwToyud-RPsAousXcMs3H7uWQkTfMnq13SHExIiMWNtaP2atT9c1ODJ5veXmKFO/s640/Brockholes+1.png" title="Brockholes, Salmesbury" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are way more than mallards there too (although I did enjoy seeing a mallard eating off a bird table). There have been sightings of buzzards, hares and there's even talk of a Savi's warbler. You heard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkMfyABpkUu-J17QiCvneHW9i65fwkco_HTb9cJkO5XeygRK9AEHs11f67EiI1S7kI2GCSFoEB1cDpbAGU3blUOnp2K6aIclGMZBFjPokJL2KYDxu6fAUrWesCcJ-3uoBaRkcqPgf9YhO/s1600/Brockholes+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brockholes, Salmesbury" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkMfyABpkUu-J17QiCvneHW9i65fwkco_HTb9cJkO5XeygRK9AEHs11f67EiI1S7kI2GCSFoEB1cDpbAGU3blUOnp2K6aIclGMZBFjPokJL2KYDxu6fAUrWesCcJ-3uoBaRkcqPgf9YhO/s640/Brockholes+5.png" title="Brockholes, Salmesbury" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's a weird little place, you're walking round this beautiful setting, whilst constantly aware of the hum of the M6 beside you, not that it spoils it. It's like this crazy little oasis in the middle of our chaos. Whilst most people are on the look out for birds and the odd fancy duck, my eyes were peeled for little creatures wriggling about the undergrowth, unusual butterflies, and (unintentionally) a wee weasel!</div>
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<img alt="Brockholes, Salmesbury" border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1215" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywxpbgSPzKuBsmo-sWOrHHdMdJr_Znxoeoybr_n9JmvNUguo6RJcB_mp-QOhLp37Qtlhy3VeyR3TzWPcaUNnsCjN8P0EP99S603_HPiENj2fax3_zJgEsNbxzedgZdPZeLN6xH5xTzIYJ/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-05-14+at+13.30.24.png" title="Brockholes, Salmesbury" width="640" /><a href="http://www.brockholes.org/wildlife/reserve-map/" target="_blank">Brockholes map</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4-N9Tf-UWgoSbkGxypxDIEXFv_hxVymm8PPoxf2Bpug6aaXCSZlYsJPNLn1zpro3XV12tZweA7OGoToMVDdeS9aDLqn3CCkIJOEEnjlGCwBAI4TNAtSlbYCpJq_ixLNsEzqKNU2cP1vJ/s1600/Brockholes+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Brockholes, Salmesbury" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4-N9Tf-UWgoSbkGxypxDIEXFv_hxVymm8PPoxf2Bpug6aaXCSZlYsJPNLn1zpro3XV12tZweA7OGoToMVDdeS9aDLqn3CCkIJOEEnjlGCwBAI4TNAtSlbYCpJq_ixLNsEzqKNU2cP1vJ/s1600/Brockholes+6.png" title="Brockholes, Salmesbury" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note - not a real mole.</td></tr>
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Go here to escape the madness of real life. Go listen to a warbler, watch the little fish swim in the pools, and enjoy recapturing your childhood counting ladybirds. It's a beautiful place.Dollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239517478412726256noreply@blogger.com0Brockholes, Preston New Road, Preston PR5 0AG, UK53.771102 -2.630117000000041128.2490675 -43.93871100000004 79.2931365 38.678476999999958