London - Gail's Bakery

Just a quick one -

If you're ever in Clapham wandering down Northcote Road you'll come across 'Gail's Artisan Bakery' quite far down the stretch. The best decision that you can make in that moment is to go in and get one of their Blueberry, Apricot and Ginger scones. They are absolutely delicious and apparently even appeared in the Independent's top 10 scones, (so it's not just me). They are crunchy on the outside but warm and soft on the inside and are sprinkled with demerara sugar and they made my morning break an absolute delight.

(Awful photo but my break was only 15 minutes and I couldn't hold back before taking it…sorry.)

- J

London - Dim t

I met a friend up on Charlotte street last Friday night and we ended up wandering into a Thai restaurant, Dim t. Inside was busy and it had a buzzy atmosphere, the wooded interior being both stylish and yet also quite intimate as the tables were all quite close together. This made it feel, in my mind, quite New York-y, and although we sat outside because it was a lovely evening, you still felt part off it with the all-glass front acting as the only divide. I made one of those last minute decisions and changed my order (which had been dim sum), to Pad Thai with tofu. Although it was unlike any Pad Thai I've ever had,  and I don't think particularly classic, it was really delicious! What made it different was that it was very sweet, and it had little garnish - no dried shrimps in sight. But this sweetness wasn't off-putting and was just really yum, the tofu too, was out of this world. It was the best tofu I've had in an age as it was cut into small enough cubes that meant you could pop it in in one bite, which is always helpful, and while it was toasted on the outside and very much held its shape, it managed to stay soft enough in the middle. Wonderful stuff. My friend had some dim sum which was apparently very yummy, and at normal prices (£7 something for my pad thai), it was a great find. I really recommend a visit, and if you get there and don't fancy it, then just turn around and take your pick from the congregation of places along the street, all just waiting for you to wander in and plonk yourself down on their seat.

J

Apple Tart

I was having a friend over for supper the other day, (very last minute), and panic-made a tart for pudding. Easiest success ever.

So, what ya need:

1 x roll of puff pastry.
Sugar to sprinkle.
Cinnamon to sprinkle.
Whatever fruit you have/can lay your hands on.

But what do I do, Jess?

Well, it's crazy easy. You roll out the pastry, slice up your fruit, (I used pears and apples), and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Pop in the oven at 200° and bake for about 20mins, or until the pastry is puffed and brown and the fruit glazed.

Et voila - an impressed chum and a cheap, yummy pud.

Please ignore the green plastic chopping board, not very Jamie Oliver of me.

J

London - Wahaca

So Wahaca was a wee bit hit and miss in my books. For example, while the black bean and cheese quesadillas and the spicy sweet potato pieces were really delicious, the soft tortilla tacos were just ok, and were tiny, so looked a bit sad on the plate. I kept adding a spicy sauce to liven them up, but every time I did this I re-realised I just wasn't that hard when it came to spice, and then had to add yoghurt to cool it down. This became an endless and slightly frustrating dance, one which I never mastered, as I never managed to get the combinations right. But enough of this sob story. Onto the drinks! However the final blow sadly arrived with these... Admittedly, we bought it on ourselves, as we should have read between the lines, but when you order 'Hibiscus water: cranberry flavoured Mexican flower juice', you expect something pretty cool, right? Alas what arrived was nothing other than Ocean Spray cranberry. Or actually it was probably Ocean Spray's slightly cheaper cousin. I felt a little betrayed, and things only worsened with the arrival of the cleverly named 'Citrus Fizz', which sheepishly showed itself to be nothing other than soda water. If it's soda water, Wahaca, just call it that, then feelings can't get hurt.

A huge redeeming feature, however, is the clever and I think rather wonderful idea of giving you on leaving what looks to be a cardboard packet of matches. This then however turns out not to be matches, but rather chilli seeds stuck onto sticks, ready to plant at home. I wandered past my chilli plant a moment ago, growing on my window sill, and with this all misgivings towards Wahaca disappeared. Although my experience was hit and miss, I do recommend a visit, as at the end of it all a lot of care and thought has gone into the place (and its drink descriptions), and you walk away with your very own chilli plant.
So why not?

J

 

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I'm back! I thought I'd add my twopence to this post as I've been to Wahaca twice in the last few months.

 

Contrary to J, I love this place. Hidden away in one of the busiest areas of London in converted shipping containers, Wahaca brings something a little bit different to the norm. The concept is pretty simple - shared Mexican dishes and tequila-based cocktails. Personally I think the food is incredible, although I have to agree with J that some portions can be a bit measly and some dishes - notably the soft tacos - a little bland. Also, this being Mexican food, if you're not a fan of cheese than moo-ve on to a different place (sorry!); pretty much every dish is smothered with cheese. There's even a cheese fondue-type dish with a lone nacho chip placed sparingly on top. I would highly recommend the quesadillas - delicious filled flat wraps - and the taquitos - lovely little Mexican spring rolls.

 

As for the drinks - tequila this, tequila that, tequila everything... The signature Mexican beverage is clearly very well stocked in the Wahaca cellars. Try the Wahaca Mule - a tequila, ginger beer and lime infusion or there's one which includes a hefty amount of salt amongst its ingredients; I've forgotten its name. 'Agua de mar', perhaps?

 

Given the relaxed atmosphere, attentive and helpful staff, and wonderful sharing food, I would certainly recommend taking a date here. J may disagree, but my date loved it!

 

All in all, definitely worth a visit if you can find it!

 

A

London - Dosa Deli

Earlier today I braved the drizzle and went to a cheese and wine market with a friend at Southbank. It was held where the regular weekend farmers market is usually found, (which I highly recommend), just opposite PingPong. Although it was smaller than the usual market, everyone there was gallantly battling the elements with a glass of red in one hand, and a cocktail stick with something Devonshire stuck on it in the other, so there was a definite happy buzz about.
We, however, went rogue and opted for the (only) Indian option, because they were selling fresh, proper, Chai tea. (Plus, it was only 10am... Who were all these people?)...

The Chai was amazing and although I've tried to make it fresh at home a number of times, I've always failed, so won't bore you, but it was the Goan Masala Dosa wrap that was particularly great. The wrap itself was made fresh on the spot, much like a pancake, and it was then filled with shredded paneer cheese, onion, peppers, coriander, and had this amazing yoghurt chutney garnish that was great for dipping. Although incredibly filling, it also felt very light and healthy.

So go check out a market next time, they never disappoint.

- J

London - Shake Shack

With post-graduation blues finally subsiding and indefinite unemployment looming, seeking solace in meeting up with university friends in town and going out to eat has become a commonality for me.

Someone suggested we head to a new eatery that had just opened in Covent Garden, serving burgers and milkshakes.
Fantastic central London location: check.
Unashamedly unhealthy American food: check.
Ridiculous London prices: check.

For such a superb location, it was no surprise we had to queue for half an hour to be served; but we were a little taken aback by the limited choices on the menu. Offering a few choices of burgers and hot dogs, the majority of the menu is occupied by what they call 'frozen custards' or 'concretes'. Essentially a glorified McFlurry except thicker and with more ingredients.

Whether you choose to sit outside ogling at the street performers or inside under the awnings of the famous Covent Garden market, upon ordering you are presented with an alarm-type device that emits a horrendous buzzing sound and seizure-inducing flashes when your food is ready.

Whilst tasty, albeit a little too greasy, the burgers are nothing special and you'd get more for your money at a cheaper fast food restaurant, which is essentially what this is. One highlight though is the chips; crinkled and springy and lightly dusted with spices, I haven't had chips these tasty in a while.

In this blistering heat, there was only one choice for me. The 'concretes' are orgasmic and exactly what I was expecting. The one I chose contained vanilla ice cream, peanut butter sauce, marshmallow sauce, and bits of actual banana. A perfect combination. Also worthy of a mention is the fact you can create your own, which is a nice touch.

Randomly, but quite a clever idea given their outside dog-friendly location, is the portion of the menu catering for dogs, because after all, dogs need to cool down too.

To conclude, it's nice and tasty, but not great value for money and better burgers can be found elsewhere. Although the frozen custard/concretes are worth trying if you're prepared to queue.

Keep it cool (especially in this weather),

A

Pickled Radishes

As well as writing reviews, I am also going to include the odd thing that I make at home, now that the summer brings with it an expanse of free time...

I love love love the pickles that come with the miso soup in Wagamamas, and found out yesterday that they are, in fact, radishes. Having always wanted to grab a bunch of proper Benjamin Bunny veg, I finally had the chance, and decided to pickle some this morning. This is a very easy, and pretty, way of approaching the little red veg.

For a small jar:

1 bunch of radishes (around 12 of them)
150ml rice wine vinegar
50ml water
2/3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 deseeded chilli
1 crushed clove of garlic

Method:

- Cut the stalks of the radishes and chop into thin slices (about 5mm).
- Pop them in an airtight glass jar
- Combine the water and vinegar in a pan with the sugar and salt.
- Bring to the boil, and wait until all the sugar and salt are dissolved.
- Turn off the heat and add the chilli and garlic (I even added some ginger).
- Pour over the radishes, and put the jar in the fridge once it has cooled.
- I suppose the optimum time before you taste them is 24 hours, but I sure didn't wait.

Et voila.

- J


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Update:
A word to the wise - although pretty and very tasty, these unassuming pink things stink to absolute high heaven. (I blame the vinegar). When your mum opens the fridge door, she aint gonna be happy... You have been warned...

Bristol - Grillstock Smokehouse

Once again, I apologise for leaving it so long between posts, but there's been a lot going on! One massive change is the fact that we are both now graduands (Huzzah!); that blissful state of limbo between end of exams and the impending sense of responsibility signalled by graduation.

I was walking along the Triangle with a friend when we both spotted a new restaurant that had popped up; my compadre, another foodie-enthusiast suggested we go visit the next day for lunch. However, that evening I had plans to see a friend's band at the Coronation Tap... for all those aware of the Cori Tap, as it's affectionately known, can probably see where this is going. For those not in the know - the pub serves 10-12% cider tasting like apple juice. Lethal.

In hindsight, organising work experience in a GP's surgery for the following day was probably not the greatest idea... Thankfully I made it to the surgery on time looking surprisingly suave, albeit swaying slightly and undoubtedly smelling of alcohol. Now further sleep-deprived, I stumbled back up to the Triangle, encouraged only by the overwhelming excitement of a hearty meat-filled lunch.

Waiting outside for my friend to arrive, I was greeted by a charming lady with a tray full of pots of miscellaneous meats to taste - pulled pork, beef brisket, burnt ends, spicy sausages and more. It felt a bit strange tasting the food before I was due to go in and buy it, but at least then I could select what I wanted more easily.

Originally a festival, Grillstock has decided to set up a base in Bristol and I'm so glad they did because this place is incredible. Based heavily on America's deep south, with a single seated bar for diners, with a central trough of assorted sauces and condiments running along it and chefs resembling truckers, with peaked caps, all beardy and tattooed, the menu is one massive smorgasbord of delicious, slow-roasted, barbequed meats. As our orders arrived on trays pilled high with food, my hangover almost vanished in an instant. Vegetarians look away now.

Mmmmm.... meaty meaty goodness.

My order, a mountain of mixed meats, topped with cheese and sauces all fitted into a bun almost defeated me, although I'll admit my stomach was not in the best of states. My friend ordered a pulled pork plate and an additional hotdog topped with jalapenos. Both were delicious, although maybe a touch on the pricey side.

Definitely one of the best new places in Bristol to eat at the moment - go visit. Plus, you get to drink out of those epic Jeremiah Weed glasses, making you feel even more awesome, and for the toughest amongst you, they even have a man vs. food-esque challenge dubbed 'The Grand Champion' which grants you a free t-shirt and bottle of BBQ sauce should you choose to take on the meat feast and successfully complete it.

And now to bear the combined grunt of a hangover and a food coma.

A

London - Breakfast Club

This popular and buzzy wee café in Soho specialises in breakfasts, and is a fun place to head if you want to soothe, and indulge, your hangover. You might have to queue, but not for long, as service is the zippiest I have ever seen, and your order will fly towards you very swiftly. It’s not your typical caf, and so it’s not 'typical caf' prices. Although it may seem a bit expensive, this could be because it is aligned with the word ‘breakfast’ which is usually a fairly small meal eaten at home, and so is cheap, or even free, (depending on whether you are a student living with parents or not). I went for the pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, as I had never had it before, and a good old cuppa tea. Although they weren’t the greatest pancakes I have ever had, being quite dry, and although the bacon was so crispy I struggled to pinion it to my fork, it was still a hearty and enjoyable meal. Although I am glad that I can now say I have been, I’m not sure that I would return in a hurry. I would return to their cool new website sooner. Have a play: http://www.thebreakfastclubcafes.com/

J

Taste #5 Umami Paste - Laura Santtini

Have you heard of this bad-boy yet? Well, if not, now you have, and it is a DELIGHT to introduce. Umami has been identified as the fifth taste sensation, existing alongside sweet, sour, bitter and salty, and it is now available in supermarkets thanks to Laura Santtini.

On the (really beautiful) packaging it is described as a 'flavour bomb', and it really is. This umami paste is comprised of tomato puree, garlic, anchovy, and a plethora of other flavours, but describing it bit by bit doesn't do justice to the product as a whole. Indulging in a metaphor, I would instead say that this paste is a cunningly disguised key, opening up a whole new world of tasty food. You can add it to anything, (and I mean anything: meat poultry, fish, sauces, soups, stir-fries, sandwiches), where it enhances and adds a real depth to the flavour. I tried it with my supper yesterday - some simple chicken marinated in honey, soy sauce and olive oil, and the difference was incredible. You can even use it in place of wasabi when eating sushi, and after attempting to make my own, I tried it with this too. Again, it blew me away. I'm really excited to have found this, and can bask in the knowledge that with this, food will never dare be bland again. The thing to do now, is to go and try some for yourself. Don't let me have all the fun.

Sushi: Fallen apart, or 'deconstructed'..?

J

London - Abokado

Abokado is my new lunchtime destination. So, with regrets, a bientot, dear Pret a Manger. Having done my fair share of work experience up in London I really relished the abundance of choice that is all held under this one, super-healthy roof. Abokado combines the Eastern persuasions found at the likes of Itsu, with its hot rice pots, noodle broths and selections of sushi; with the more substantial lunchtime goods associated with Pret: cold and hot wraps, fresh juices, and delightfully yummy, gluten-free brownies. It's the Teryaki Chicken Powch that first wowed me, (and I mean wowed me in the sense that I muttered a surprised 'Oh! Mmm!' under my breath), just before whoever was sitting next to me slowly shuffled away. Although this 'Powch' comes with the super foreboding tagline: 'LOW CAL, NO BUTTER, NO MAYO, LOW FAT', it still packed such a punch of teryaki-taste, that it was startling. I teamed this up with the carrot, apple, and ginger juice - which I repeated on subsequent visits because it was JUST so good, and reminded me of Blue Juice in Bristol - and I also had a millionare shortbread, (was flagging and in need of a treat).

As it is super healthy the portions are enough, but I think the trick is to team different components up with each other. I saw a businessman grab a sushi and then two wraps and thought to myself: 'he has it right'. What a winner. So there you go, next time you are pottering around Central and feel peckish, stave off the usual lunchtime suspects and try somewhere new. If anything, that's the secret to a good day.

J

London – Duck and Waffle

This was definitely more of an expedition than a casual meal. When my friend told me she was making a flying visit back to London from a year-abroad in Paris, getting a table at the Duck and Waffle, (which has a recommended 2-month booking time), was like a scene from Mission Impossible. (Although obviously a scene that was far too dull and so was cut). After some frantic searching we succeeded in getting a table at 10.15pm. Right…. A two-supper evening it would have to be.

We stepped out of the lift into its sister restaurant, Sushisamba, a razzmatazz of colour that was reminiscent of an Austin Powers party where everyone seemed to know each other. We swiftly scooted up the stairs by the bar into the far more sedate world of the Duck and Waffle.

When we told the waiter our order he gently tried to tell us that the Duck and Waffle was a ‘sharing’ kind of a restaurant, so perhaps we would like to share some of these dishes, as opposed to having one each…? We had just been discussing how ONLY with Chinese food is it ok to share, and possibly Indian, although that is still in contention. So at this suggestion we inwardly laughed, no, we scoffed, and politely declined. Yet we were fools.

 What arrived when the ‘spicy ox cheek doughnut’ came were two of the largest and most alarmingly sized doughnuts I had ever seen in my life. Although fun to try, the amount of dough was huge and the ox-cheek in the middle was very non-descript. So, a word to the wise, if they recommend you to share a dish, just share it, you’re not big enough to do it alone.

The absolute highlight of the meal was the signature dish, ‘Duck and Waffle’, which is a confit duck leg on a waffle with a duck egg and mustard maple syrup. Oh my, it was good. However, to be honest, I would probably only go back for that, and the views.

It’s definitely an experience, and it’s open 24 hours, so next time you feel like having a night out in two-months time, and just know that you’ll fancy a duck dish at exactly 2 in the morning, well then, give it a book! I mean, what could be easier…?

However, for me, next time it’s Sushisamba.

J

Bristol - Shake Wrap and Roll

Most people that know me will know how much of a procrastinator I am and today was no different. After sleeping in, packing my bag for a weekend in London, and tidying my room it was clear no work was getting done today. So food presented the last bastion of distraction, and for all you edgy folk out on Gloucester Road, this one's a real gem.

Hard to miss, Shake Wrap and Roll colourfully occupies a central position along one of Bristol's busiest roads. What first drew me to SW&R were actually free vouchers I picked up in Freshers Week (yeh, it pays to actually look at all the free stuff that get's forced down your throat - excuse the pun!) and I've been a fairly frequent visitor since.

I imagine most Bristol-dwellers will have heard of the amazingness that is Magic Roll, however, SW&R certainly gives it a good run for its money. Essentially the same concept, what SW&R offers that differs is the much bigger range of ingredients and, in my opinion, bigger wraps, all for the same price - what's not to like! (both Magic Roll and SW&R have hoiked up their prices recently, but I think they now both cost the same). Nice range of meat options, including a personal favourite of mine - brie and bacon, and unrestricted choice of the available salad fillings and interesting sauces. All locally-sourced (so tempted to write 'sauced', but one pun's enough) and home-made ingredients and served by welcoming, knowledgable staff make this a must-visit to anyone in the area. B-e-a-utiful!

I actually took a photo this time!

A

Bristol - Cafe Poco

Cafe Poco is a great wee tapas bar that's found opposite the Canteen on Gloucester Road. The kitchen is placed much like a bar, in the middle of the room, and all down one side of the wood panelling is a huge array of fresh fruit and veg. I occasionally saw the chef wander out and deliberate over for it while, before plucking a unpeeled beetroot from the pile.

The menu had a huge variety of both hot and cold tapas, (as well as puddings), and it was all written on a massive blackboard on the back wall. Up on here they also had what sounded like foraged juices - namely Dandelion and Burdock, and Apple and Rhubarb. I alighted on the latter, which was delicious, as although the apple made it sweet the rhubarb then made it zingy, and it has spurred me to make rhubarb crumble very soon.

We ordered a lot of food... We got the traditional warm hummus with flatbreads, the manchego and membrillo, beetroot, butternut squash and chickpeas, and the pork belly.

It was all delicious. And always like with tapas, although I have suspicions that it won't fill me up, the act of picking and choosing and the slow way in which you approach your meal means that it always does. The hummus was probably my favourite part, and was fairly similar to that at Yalla Yalla, which had me holla-ing from the rooftops. (A review for which was written in January). However, the pork belly was a close contender, as it was cooked with lime and fennel and had the best crackling ever.

We then seriously indulged, getting a chilli hot chocolate each and sharing a pomegranate molasses brownie. The chilli in the hot chocolate had a proper kick and when I drained the mug my face may have shown momentary alarm as the chilli residue invaded my mouth. This was, however, only momentary, and subsided swiftly to a warming, pleasant feeling. The brownie had the pomegranate molasses inside it, and not just as a topping, which slightly baffled us with the first few bites - we couldn't work out what that errant taste was - but with creme fraiche it really worked, and made it a moist and yummy brownie with a twist.

As ever, if you order wildly it could end up a tad on the expensive side, but with dishes ranging from £2 to £4/5, it really needn't be too much. It was a really lovely meal and a perfect stop-off if you're on your way to the Canteen. Us third years, however, were far too tired and boring for any of that, and come 10.30, decided it was time to trot off to bed.

J

Bristol - The Bristolian

I heard about The Bristolian a while ago from a friend, and so we wandered down to Gloucester Road yesterday to check it out. To give you some bearings, it's over the road from Kino Cafe and the Arts Cafe, and its prettily lighted front looked old fashioned and inviting on that cold, cold evening. Inside is, as ever - as I am learning in these rambles around Bristol restaurants - incredibly welcoming and friendly.

They serve a range of food, from salad-y goodies in the glass counter and gluten free cakes and shortbreads on top, to a series of (yep, gluten free) breakfasts. The main Bristolian one has everything except the mushrooms! Perfect! The supper menu was quite small, and although it had great dishes they were quite expensive, particularly the starters/tapas as most came in at about £7.

We both alighted on the chorizo quesadillas, which came with onion, aubergine, courgette, pepper, cheese, and a homemade salsa and guacamole. These were pretty tricky to eat, (although I developed the knack), but were really delicious, and so filling.

I would definitely recommend The Bristolian, and hope to return sometime soon to try one of these mushroom-free breakfasts.

J

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Thought I would add a bit to this!
'The Bristolian', lighting up a dark alley deep in the heart of Stokes Croft, is aptly named for it exemplifies what Bristol is all about - quirkiness, independence, and amazing, locally-sourced food.

The quesedillas immediately stood out to us both on the rather limited menu, albeit containing many delicious-sounding meals. After toying with the prospect of a fondue-esque option as a starter, I decided to stick with the quesedilla (which, despite multiple attempts I still can't seem to pronounce properly) thinking it was a type of burrito/tortilla/enchilada-type meal.

I was rather caught by surprise at what turned up. As the photo shows, they are nothing like enchiladas... I wondered how such minimal food could fill me up, but what seemed like barely anything had my hearty appetite quashed. A rather messy meal ensued with Little J mastering the technique to avoid the quesedillas failing apart - me not so much and now my trousers have a nasty compromising stain on the thigh. Can't take me anywhere.

Although the place is a little cramped and I was rather nervous about leaning my head against the wall which was adorned with candles at hair-burning height, it is absolutely worth a visit. They offer a great range of alternative hot-chocolate flavours, including cinnamon, chilli, and mint, and the breakfasts look very appetising. They even have a 'Bristolian Challenge', which is a £12 massive pile of breakfast foods and has most certainly been pushed near the top of my bucketlist of things to do before leaving Bristol.

Go visit! It's also close to the Croft and The Canteen, so if you're heading to a gig and looking for some pre-mosh munch, maybe check it out.

A

Bristol - The Burger Joint

So it's a well known establishment on Whiteladies that probably doesn't need my telling you about it, but I went the other day and loved it, so here goes.

The Burger Joint is bright and cosy, with incredibly friendly staff and the best 'create your own burger' system to date. On sitting down you are presented with a pencil and a pad of paper, on which you tick off the different components of your meal. What kind of burger do you fancy? Beef? Lamb and Mint? Oh chicken was it? Tick the chicken. It truly felt like I was playing a culinary game of Cluedo, and it made the experience fun, and stirred in me feelings from childhood.

You then proceed to tick off your choices from the vast array of toppings (of which one is 80p and three is £1.75 I think, however, including the option of adding two would have been ideal). Then on to sauces, who knew there were so many (although don't be a rookie and tick ketchup - it's sitting by you on the table), then dips, and finally sides. Phew.

Has all this ticking and musing made you hungry? Then never fear, as the meal that is to come will definitely fill you up. The burgers are generous and the sides, (we both had sweet potato chips) even more so. As ever, I ended up with a doggie bag, and a great lunch the next day.

J

Bristol - Pieminister (St Nicholas Street)

Woah! It's been ages since I last posted. Sorry about that. I've been inundated with various bits of work. To distract myself from working, I decided to check out a hallmark of the Bristol food scene - Pieminister. I first heard about the company a few years back when a task on The Apprentice required the contestants to create their own pie shops as judged by Pieminister execs.

Heading down into the centre of town, I was excited by the prospect of a good old-fashioned pie with all the trimmings - mash, gravy, the whole works. However, the map on my phone placed the arrow in a vague block grey area - St Nicholas' Street Market - the labarinth itself. Originally expecting a proper shop, what I didn't realise was that it was a stall in the heart of one of Bristol's busiest markets.

Eventually finding it, picking up some free falafel on the way from another stand, I set about scanning the menu to see what was on offer. A huge range of pastries awaits you, and they don't shy away from showing all the awards they've won with stickers adorning the glass display cases. So many choices. So many extra little delights to add to already difficult decision of which pie to choose.

I went for a simple choice - the Freeranger. Chicken, ham, and cheese. I couldn't resist adding on mash and gravy too. The rather cramped stall measures roughly 3m x 6m, not much bigger than my Bristol cupboard bedroom, yet still they manage to fit in tables and benches as well as ovens and display cases. It felt similar to a festival tent, but cleaner and with fewer drunkards, instead, a whole range of people from all walks of life had gathered there, attracted by the lure of award-winning pies; mothers with their children, business men on their lunch break, elderly couples. Clearly there is a pie for everyone.

Once again, I couldn't help myself and dove straight in without thinking to take a photo first. So here's one from Google:

With crispy pastry and overflowing with filling it was fairly satisfying, but it just wasn't really enough and the gravy and mash and the pie in general were distinctly average. Not quite the stuff of legends. I've got a massive appetite - hence the existence of this blog - so I left feeling a little disappointed, picking up another free falafel ball on the way back.

Maybe it was an off day? Maybe I made the wrong choice of pie and trimmings? There were loads of other options afterall.

I will probably return again, but at the cost of £6 (pie, mash, and gravy, to eat in) I may have to alter my choices for next time. One positive though - I did find a place that does amazing falafels...

A

Manchester - Teacup on Thomas St

This is a great wee cafe that we stumbled upon when wandering through the North Quarter, that is, as we found out, owned by Mr Scruff. I squealed with delight.

It's very like Bristol's Boston Tea Party, and like BTP, has a range of different teas to try. I alighted on the rosehip tea, which came in a beautiful, creaky glass pot. This also came with a timer that told you exactly when your tea had finished stewing, and when you could pour it into a second glass teapot. Such a novelty.

This tea was not only beautiful to look at, but it was really delicious, and reminded me of when I used to make perfume as a small child by squeezing rose petals into water. You were also allowed to ask for a water top-up too, which I thought was really kind.

I also had the brownie with pistachios on top which was the best brownie I've had in a while, and my friend had the halloumi and pitta salad. Although this place is a bit pricey, (a cup of tea was about £4), I recommend it for the experience, and who knows, you may even bump into Mr Scruff.

J

Manchester - Almost Famous

When I went to visit a friend in Manchester this weekend, I was taken to the hidden/(sort of) secret burger joint, Almost Famous. Although the entrance is just a small door on a quiet road, you have no chance of missing it; Almost Famous comes complete with queue, and bouncer. This burger place had a queue, and a bouncer, at 5pm. Five in the afternoon.

However, having made it inside, I COMPLETELY see why.

You go up a few flights of stairs, (they make you work for your meal), and enter into a bright and eclectic space that made me so trigger happy I couldn't stop taking photos. The bar wall is as you can see above, and on the opposite wall is a series of fairly bizarre, yet pretty great, quotes (below right).














All the other walls, (it's made of a further two rooms) are clustered with either Banksy, or provocative paintings of 50's style women emerging from sweet wrappers, mustard bottles, and the like.

Our drinks came with names such as 'Bitch Juice' and 'Snap and Tickle', and as if the names, and the fact that they were served in tall jars wasn't edgy enough, they also came complete with glowsticks.

The food was very like Meat Liquor in London, full on, heavy-duty burgers and fries. However, these also came with great names. One burger was called Triple Nom, and if you fancied chicken, you could always get Crack Wings, which were said to be 'Phoking Amazing'. I went for the Rib Roll (pulled pork) and Trailer Trash Fries, both of which were incredible. The fries in particular, as they had a mustard and barbecue and who knows what else sauce poured all over them, and were a-mazing.

After eating ourselves into a food coma, I can honestly say this is the best burger place I have ever been to, and if I am ever back in Manchester again, will demand a visit. (If you can, try and bag a seat on the sofa - this kind of food coma beats the kind at Christmas, and I very nearly nodded off...).


J

Bristol - Urban Wood (First meal together!)

Big A and Little J finally have their first proper blog meal out together…huzzah! 

J: So I arrived first, being ever early, and had to prop up the bar with a solitary glass of red while I waited for A to appear. I did, however, have company in the form of a downhearted businessman-type next to me; yet erase any images of the bar from ‘Cheers’ from your mind, (a very old reference there), as Urban Wood is actually a small and fairly eclectic restaurant. The place is aglow with fairy lights in the windows and with candles bedecking nearly every surface. A large feature of the place is the wax-dripped candelabrum that is set in between the front room of the restaurant, and the back room, separated by the large open bay window. We went on a Monday, which, by pure chance, happened to be 2-4-1 on burgers, and so we both jumped right on it. 

A: I’d never even heard of Urban Wood before Little J suggested it, but what a find! Self-proclaimed ‘Bristol’s best kept secret’, they had a lot to live up to, and they didn’t fail us. With a wealth of tempting choices on the menu, all at reasonable prices, we settled for the burgers filled with chorizo, bacon and cheese, topped with a fried egg, and some olives and sun-dried tomatoes as apéritifs. Arriving fairly promptly, we tucked in. Delicious. Hints of apple complemented the beef from the burgers, which was just extraordinary, putting it on par with my favourite burgers, courtesy of Boston Tea Party and The Mall Pub. My only qualm would be the inclusion of the devil’s food – rocket; but actually, the salad was made almost bearable by an interesting dressing. 

J: What A has ceased to mention is the slightly awkward incident that set both bar staff running. When going to pour some ketchup, (see offending bottle in below image), he dropped it with a bang into the mayo, splattering that on the table, and in turn knocking over the candle, which promptly fizzed out. Watching that bizarre chain of events I half expected a mouse-trap to come tottering down. 

A: ...and what J has failed to mention is her inability to judge how much salt is too much salt, leaving me to polish off what she couldn’t finish (most of it...). This place is definitely worth a visit, especially on a Monday - £5 for a burger is such a deal! Although, I did feel slightly conned that they charged us for the olives and sundried tomatoes separately, when the menu definitely tricked me into thinking otherwise... and £3 for a pint of coke was a bit of a surprise too. However, the quality of the food and the nice, almost homely atmosphere certainly made up for these trivial setbacks. Go and make use of the deal if you get the chance!

A & J