Zumu, Hale

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 Zumu. I have to admit I was rather excited about this review, as it was something a little bit different.

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.

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. 

Omakase - Chef's selection of mixed sushi and sashimi: 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. 

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.

Zumu Special - prawn, avocado, seared salmon, and teriyaki barbecue sauce: 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. 

Pork Gyoza - home-made ravioli dumplings filled with minced pork: 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. 

Satsumaimo - lightly seasoned sweet potato with salt and pepper: Oh how we laugh now that we thought we needed to order sides. They were absolutely delicious though.

Fried Rice - fried rice topped with sesame seeds: The perfect vehicle to mop up excess sticky sauce. I will come onto this in just a moment.

Teriyaki beef with kimchi: 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.

Kamoniku - pan fried duck breast with cherry ponzu sauce and pak choi: Another beautiful sauce with soft duck breast. Sweetness from the sauce and the duck, with a slight sourness from the cherry pieces.

Dessert platter: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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!

Tomfoolery at 34

I love going to Alderley Edge; a place full of sunshine, pretty boutiques and sausage dogs. I'm convinced it never rains here, and that flowers are in bloom all year round. Don't burst my bubble. Tomfoolery at 34 is on the main street in the heart of the village, sitting on a corner like a beautiful multicoloured beacon amongst the other 'standard' shops.  

We were greeted by a cheery chap who sat us at a table with Mortal Kombat 3 already set up and ready to play... Unfortunately, I didn't get chance to whip Sub-Zero's ass à la 1995 as we were whisked off upstairs to meet Head Chef, Brice. The decor is as mad as a dog in a bungalow. Look around and you'll see traditional paintings adorned with anachronisms such as a little Gene Simmons going to war, or Wally in classical Rome. 

Upstairs has some of the best wallpaper you'll ever see, ranging from tigers to Star Wars. Despite its 'shabby' feel, it's obvious that everything in there has been considered, and nothing is an accident. It feels more like a time warp than a junk shop. I'm pretty sure we didn't speak to each other for about five minutes whilst we took everything in!

I'm going to cover drinks first, purely because they deserve their own special mentions - they have floral straws... they're doing this right!

Guns n' Roses: this was a one of the soft drinks on the specials menu. Pineapple juice with rose syrup and coconut, scattered with dried buds and floral straws. The prettiest drink you ever did see.

Chocolate milkshake: This was Paddy's choice. Topped with whipped cream (not the squirty kind from a can) and chocolate covered popping candy, this was a slightly different take on a classic. The only amendment I would make here is to make it thicker by using more ice cream. I'm a milkshake purest...

Lemon-Thyme Lemonade: The best soft drink I have ever drunk, ever. This was seriously good. Imagine that lovely zingy crunch you get on top of a lemon drizzle cake - that. I'm pretty sure there was enough sugar in it to give me diabetes, but hey, it did the trick.

And so to the food... 

Totally winging it - hot sauce, buttermilk fried with celery and blue cheese: I can take or leave hot wings. Generally preferred by those boy types (I think they just enjoy getting messy...), these were something else. We've declared them some of the best we've ever eaten. Yes Hooters, they're coming for you!

Chargrilled baby gem lettuce with cheesy bites and Hollandaise sauce: Everything I know tells me this is wrong. Dipping bits of warm lettuce into chopped up egg sauce. Seriously, it worked a treat!

Swayze Burger - steak patty, beef bacon, Emmental cheese, dill pickle, onion, lettuce and tomato with parmesan and truffle fries: Paddy does not do salad or sauce. Personally I see this as an utter travesty, but it's what he likes. This simple request often causes carnage in the kitchen, and the burger appears with some sort of confused half attempt at 'plain'. This was perfect and got devoured within just a few minutes.

Black Sheep burger - pulled lamb shoulder, BBQ ketchup, halloumi, pickles, lettuce and tomato with fries: There is nothing about this combination that I didn't absolutely love. The homemade brioche bun, that deliciously sticky BBQ lamb (wonderful change from pork), the salty halloumi and those crispy chips! I adored this.

Lucky road: That's right, rocky road made with Lucky Charms. This was surprisingly light and snaffled by Paddy in about two minutes flat. That's some good going from someone who was full.

Cherry frangipane: Christ alive, this was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Those who know me will be well aware of my penchant for all things related to a Bakewell tart. This was just wonderful. 'I won't eat it all' I said. 'I don't want to overdo it' I bleated. I scoffed the lot like a big greedy pig.

Macchiato - coffee crème brûlée, milk foam and cinnamon doughnuts: This is more Paddy's bag than mine, but yes, of course I whipped two of those doughnuts. Again, very light despite having a big kick of flavour from the coffee and cinnamon. Those doughnuts were warm too...

Berry messy - mixed berries, cheesecake custard, meringues and mint: I'm good at grazing (some have said 'world class'), but I'm rubbish at eating a lot in one go, yet here I was, devouring my second dessert in ten minutes. This was utterly gorgeous; a perfect balance between sweet and tart. Lovely to see the use of gooseberries too. Every scrap - gone.

Brice is clearly loving his work. He enjoyed chatting about his creations, and seemed genuinely excited for us to sample new things. I really liked the different feel between the 'tea and cake' floor downstairs, and the 'restaurant' upstairs, yet it seems they are happy for you to sit wherever you like.

Tomfoolery at 34 got a massive seal of approval from us. Faux-chintzy tea shops are ten-a-penny these days, but they seem to have a bit of a unique edge. In all honesty, I can't quite put my finger on what that is yet. The menu isn't massive, but this helps them to concentrate on doing a few things really well. Cakes downstairs change on a daily basis, so there'll always be something new to try too. I urge you to go here; beautiful location and a feast for both eyes and belly.

Disclaimer: I was invited for some Tomfoolery but was under no obligation to say nice things about them, get excited by a plastic shark, find Wally or consider lifting their T-Rex cut out. 

Hickory's Smokehouse, Chester

God I love barbecue. I have worshiped at the alters of Red's True Barbecue, made a pilgrimage to the Mighty Quinn's in New York, sat in the sun at Grillstock and surely sampled all the smoked meat Manchester has to offer. I cannot get enough of the stuff. 

He who shares my DNA has the same affliction - not surprising really, although oddly he hates Haribo? I cannot explain this molecular misdemeanour. He's been a bit crook recently, and not overly mobile since having an op on his foot, so when I suggested we have a trip to Chester with our mum, he jumped at the chance - not literally - that would be foolish in his condition. 

When I asked what sort of food he would like for lunch, I was given a one word brief - barbecue. A quick Google search later and I landed on the banks of the River Dee. A five minute taxi ride from the station is Hickory's Smokehouse; an impressive building overlooking the river, with its very own flaming rhino protecting the gates. 

It was absolutely lashing it down. Even the ducks had buggered off! We quickly retreated inside as we already had a terrible case of damp denim, and we had only walked from the taxi to the door.

We were immediately greeted by a friendly lady who showed us to a table with a brilliant view of the river. She brought over a bag of house popcorn, and left us to peruse the menus. The restaurant has a bit of an American sports bar feel, but with nice little touches like noses for doorhandles, and pink piggies in the ladies! The dining room is split into lots of smaller areas and private booths, as well as an open kitchen and bar area.

I'm a total sucker for a decent milkshake, because they remind me of happy days in Vegas! Whilst in Hickory's, I sampled the strawberry (always a good barometer) and the Solero shake. Both are packed with real fruit and thick ice cream. They also boast an impressive cocktails list, and a few decent American craft beers too - notably by Goose Island and Sierra Nevada.

Although we knew we were likely to overindulge, we decided that starters were a good idea...

Burnt Ends - Tender chunks of smoked beef brisket coated in crispy Cajun rub: These are not like any other burnt ends that I have tried before. They had a coating on them which was similar to Southern fried chicken. Generous in size and very tasty, however I think I prefer the traditional type doused in barbecue sauce.

Smokehouse Nachos with sour cream, guacamole, melted cheese served and BBQ pulled pork: These were heavenly. Enough cheese to make your doctor nervous and an ample amount of fiery jalapenos.

Smokehouse Platter Memphis style baby back ribs, hot links, low ‘n’ slow smoked beef ribs, Kansas style spare ribs, USDA beef brisket, BBQ pulled pork, fries & slaw: The reason this comes with two lots of fries, is because it's for two people. My brother ordered this and ate the lot, bar one portion of chips.

Yes, he suffered. Highlights included the beautifully tender beef brisket and the charred beef ribs.

Kansas Style ‘BBQ Glazed’ Spare Ribs - hand-rubbed with a secret blend of spices, pit-smoked 
for 6-8 hours and glazed in Hickory’s BBQ sauce: This is Hickory's best selling dish. It's not the prettiest rack I've ever seen (snigger) but it tasted amazing! Granted, they were not quite as good as those offered at Red's, but then again they are exceptional.

Smokey BBQ Southwest Chicken Skewers - charred & sizzled, served with fries & slaw: My mum chose these as a bit of a lighter choice after troughing on the starters. This was still huge. Large chunks of chicken and vegetables slathered in BBQ sauce.

 Mac 'n' Cheese: A lovely crisp top with a thick cheese sauce.

Cheesy Chilli Fries: House fries topped with jalapenos, red chilli and a ridiculous amount of cheese sauce - yes - like the one they have in Hooters! I was so I excited I nearly burst!

Florida Key Lime Pie, chocolate ice cream & berry sauce: This little individual pie was more of a tart to be honest, as it has a pastry base. It was packed with a tangy green filling and topped with delicious torched meringue.

We walked out of Hickory's like absolute creatures. It was still tipping it down, but the cold rain was strangely soothing after suffering with acute meat sweats for the last fifteen minutes of our visit. We ate an astonishing amount of food between us!

Hickory's has a really friendly atmosphere, and has maintained a cosy feel despite the size of the restaurant. I can imagine that it's even better in nice weather, as the location is surely one of the best in the city.

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The Bells of Peover, Cheshire

Does anyone else get an overwhelming urge to go on an adventure the minute we get one ray of sunshine? Me too. I never know where to go, and generally have zero inspiration. I'm going to start making a list so I have an arsenal of fun days out - I suggest you add this to yours.

Ages ago our friends Wayne and Vicki had been to the Bells of Peover in Cheshire, and had loved it so much they planned an imminent return trip. These are people of good taste so we knew we would love it too. So as I sat there thinking of places to go, this little nugget of a memory popped back into my head. I thought our chances of securing a table would be somewhere between slim and none, but to my utter amazement, they managed to squeeze us in! 

The drive down to Peover was unreal. The sun was shining, the grass was green and I even saw two hares in a field. The small neighbouring town of Tabley looks like something out of Midsomer Murders and has the cutest train station I have ever seen. It's the sort of place I'd love to live if I won the lottery!

We arrived at the Bells of Peover a little early, so had a walk round its beautiful grounds. I'm sure it's pretty all year round, but it was particularly stunning in the sun. Outside got really busy later on, so if it's outdoor dining you have in mind, I'd go no later than about 12.30pm.

The dining room is beautifully decorated and the front of house staff couldn't have been more welcoming. Paddy had a Robinson's Unicorn and I was offered a new sparkly J2O. It was genuinely glittery! We were off to a good start.

We were starved by this point, so when a platter of homemade bread arrived, we were all over it. There was farmhouse white, one that had a soft glazed crust with an oaty top and the best of all was the cheese and herby number with nigella seeds. Oh my lord this was outstanding! The only constructive criticism of the day? The butter was a little cold for spreading. That's it. 

For starters we ordered the pork rillette 'Waldorf style' with apple and walnuts, and the pate and parfait with pickles and toasted brioche. Jeepers. We shared a bit of each other's because it was all so exciting. I can honestly say that these starters were the best I have had in quite some time. They look pretty but the flavours were big, bold and hearty. Textures were bob on too; smooth was paired with crunchy and soft with crisp. Nothing is just for effect; even the leaves gave a pepperiness.

The main course should receive a standing ovation every time it is served. We both opted for the beef roast because it had been on our minds since we saw Vicki's pictures. The beef arrives first, sliced on a butcher's block. Next comes a platter full of vegetables and two humongous Yorkshires, then two silver boats containing the best gravy known to man.

I'm putting it out there. This is the best roast I have ever had. From carvery to Michelin star, I have tried lots. This took the title in the first bite. The beef was cooked to perfection, was packed with meaty flavour, had a beautiful peppery crust and melted in the mouth. The vegetables were roasted but still had bite, and were covered in melted butter. The roasties and Yorkshires were crisp and soft on the inside and the gravy was like liquid heaven. I cannot say enough nice things about this plate of food!

I had already been looking at the dessert menu before we had even ordered our starters. This is generally how I roll. After having a little difficulty picking, my husband gave me the look that says 'shall we order three?' This is just one of the many reasons I married him - sure signs of a keeper. Our wonderful waitress concocted a story when taking our order to the kitchen, so we wouldn't look like pigs, but we were then busted when someone else brought them out. Dammit. She was tickled half to death but played along with our 'sampling' approach...

We ordered the mixed berry brûlée with biscotti and a berry milkshake, pecan pie with honeycomb and mascarpone sorbet, and the caramel and hazelnut gâteaux with vanilla ice cream. There is clearly some sort of sorcery going on in that kitchen. They were all massive, so we knew we had absolutely no hope of finishing them, but we felt better for having tried the ones we were craving.

The mixed berry brûlée had a beautifully caramelised top with soft vanilla infused custard on the inside, which was layered with fruit compote. The berry milkshake was pretty special too. The biscotti was either home made or bought from somewhere excellent, as this had actual flavour as well as texture. I often find it tastes of nothing and threatens to break your teeth.

The pecan pie was my favourite. Crisp pastry packed with a brown sugar packed treacly filling and topped with caramelised pecan nuts. Heaven! The mascarpone sorbet was a touch of genius, as it was ever so slightly tart, which went well with the uber-sweet pie. This goes firmly onto the 'what could you just eat' list.

The caramel and hazelnut gâteaux was the type of portion my dad would be happy with. Layers of sponge, praline and a dulce de leche type topping. This was the best gâteaux ever; no glacé cherries or chopped nuts in site. This was silky smooth and was paired perfectly with the vanilla ice cream and candied nuts.

The Bells of Peover is only a forty-five minute drive from our house, so we'll definitely be going back. We saw someone in the garden having a burger, so I have to return if only to sample that!

Go hungry and leave with a belly bursting with good food and a heart full of contentment. This is one of my new favourites.

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